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We started using horsepower to describe how much power an engine has and that has nothing to do with horses. And last I heard, many of us are still measuring t
by stretchwithme 14y ago
We started using horsepower to describe how much power an engine has and that has nothing to do with horses. And last I heard, many of us are still measuring things in feet.
Conventions hang on for generations because speaking a common language is more important than being up to date.
- ssdsa 14y agoWell, horsepower has absolutely something to do with horses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower "Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation."
- stretchwithme 14y agoYes, of course. I meant horses have nothing to do with engines. Nobody today is going to compare the power of a car to what they know about horses.