Punch,  47 (1864), 110.

The Refining Effects of the Metric System in the Colliery Districts

[Symbol], pseud.  [Arthur R Fairfield] *

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Symbol], pseud.  [Arthur R Fairfield] *

Subjects:

Metrology, Education, Language, Class, Industry, Cultural Geography


    Shows two miners whose faces are covered with soot, and who talk to a gentleman sitting on a horse. One of the miners gives directions to the equestrian figure, informing him in strong Yorkshire dialect and with reference to the metric system, how to reach an undisclosed destination. Punch plays on the fact that apart from the references to 'centimetres', 'Dekametres', 'Hekometre', and 'Dakare', the metric system has not refined the speech of those from the colliery districts. For example, the miner explains, 'Wuny oop 'igh Park Colliery, a'll toorn to roight 'boot centimetre oop rooad, then goa on straight rooad 'boot Dekametre'.



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