Is a dozen still 12 in the metric system?
I came into work this morning to find the following message in my inbox…..
EGG FARMERS OF ONTARIO ESTABLISHES METRIC DOZEN
Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) has decided to fully embrace the metric system by establishing the Metric Dozen (MD).
Given that most people have 10 fingers and 10 toes, there are top ten lists for most categories, and Canada is officially Metric, EFO felt the natural extension would be to establish the Metric Dozen.
Egg cartons will now contain 10 eggs instead of 12 and a half of a Metric Dozen will be 5 eggs.
“We believe this will make it easier for people to understand their egg purchases,” states Harry Pelissero, General Manager of the Egg Farmers of Ontario.
In keeping with some strategies employed by others there will be NO change in the price to either the farmer, wholesaler or at the retail counter for this new Metric Dozen.
This was followed a short while later by this message……
EGG FARMERS OF ONTARIO “CRACKS” UNDER PRESSURE AND RESCINDS METRIC DOZEN SYSTEM
Please destroy the previous announcement regarding the Establishment of a Metric Dozen system for eggs.
Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) rescinded the establishment of the Metric Dozen because of pressure from the movie industry. They were in the process of remaking some movies and felt they could not rename such movies as “The Dirty Dozen” to “The Dirty Metric Dozen” or Cheaper by the Dozen” to “Cheaper by the Metric Dozen”.
EFO was also contacted by the church and the rose industries, who expressed their concerns about the effect it would have if they would have to change from 12 to 10 on such things as the number of apostles and the decline in the flower industry when they would only be selling 10 roses instead of 12.
“We did not expect the reaction and the attachment that people have with the number 12. So for this reason EFO has decided to rescind the Metric Dozen system for now”, states Harry Pelissero, General Manager, Egg Farmers of Ontario.
EFO will continue to monitor the situation and may have an update on April 1st next year.