Shop NewsletterGet paid
Funny

Americans Will Literally Use Anything but the Metric System: 33 Ridiculous Examples

Share
Facebook Pinterest X Reddit
Add us on Google

Americans will literally use anything but the metric system

Growing up in the U.S., I quickly learned that we have a unique talent for turning everyday measurements into a circus. Forget about meters and kilograms—why not measure things in football fields or hamburgers? It’s as if Americans have a phobia of the metric system. Whether it’s a matter of stubborn pride or sheer confusion, there’s no denying that we will use literally anything but the metric system to measure the world around us.

The collection of photos in this post highlights the absurdity of American measurement methods. Instead of embracing the metric system, you’ll see everyday objects being compared to everything from cans of soda to football fields. This is a tribute to the creativity (or is it stubbornness?) that Americans display when faced with the option to use meters or kilograms. Through these photos, you’ll witness how far some will go to avoid the metric system, leaning instead on quirky and often humorous methods to measure length, weight, and volume. It’s a testament to the deep-rooted resistance to metric conversion, with a dash of humor sprinkled in.

The "A" in America stands for "Anything but the metric system."
Save
Ah yes, Americans will use anything as a unit of measure so long as it's not the metric system
Save
Just use the metric system already. To convert from mile to feet, remember "5 tomatoes". It sounds like 5-2-8-0, the amount of feet in a mile. Cool, huh?
Save
Ah yes. Washing machines. The universally accepted measurement for the volume of a sinkhole.
Save
Save
Make it make sense. HOW EUROPEANS MEASURE PEOPLE
Save
Asteroid the size of two ducks impacts above Germany
Save
Police rescue Ariana Grande-sized alligator from basement
Save
That's around the weight of a baseball. Or a hamster. AKA "nature's baseball."
Save
In case you're wondering what a "boulder the size of a large boulder" looks like. This.
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save

After scrolling through this post, you’ve undoubtedly had a good laugh at the lengths Americans will go to avoid using the metric system. You’ve seen a series of photos showcasing everything from weights compared to cans of beans to distances measured in football fields. These examples provided a humorous yet telling look at the creative ways people refuse to embrace meters, liters, and kilograms.

If you enjoyed this collection of metric system fails, you’ll find even more hilarity in our other themed meme galleries. Whether it’s exploring the quirks of American culture, diving into the peculiarities of everyday life, or laughing at how we approach basic tasks in unconventional ways, there’s always something to keep you entertained on Thunder Dungeon. Don’t miss out on more content that plays on the humor found in resisting change or sticking to old habits.

Who needs to see this?

Send it to the friend who’ll laugh the hardest, or post it for everyone.

Posted by Roy R. About the author

Roy has been one of the internet's meme tastemakers for more than a decade. He and Phil started Thunder Dungeon in 2012 by posting the stuff they found funny, and it grew into viral photo and video creations, one of the largest meme community apps and one of the best sites for daily meme content. If you've spent any time online, you've probably laughed at one of his memes.

Want more of this in your Google results?

Pick us as a preferred source and our memes show up more in Google’s Top Stories.

Add us on Google
Up next
Up next The Nightcap – 30 Nightly Funny Memes You Missed Probably Missed Read next