Help! Is it 6 foot tall or 6 feet tall?

celinehoran · Post by **celinehoran** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:51 pm

Hi guys,

My friend is a maths teacher. His Year 9 class asked him some interesting questions today.

Here they are:

Am I 6 foot tall or 6 feet tall? Which is the correct English and why?

How about 5 foot 9? Is it plural or singular and why?

Also, any idea why we use "lbs" as an abbreviation for "pounds"?

Does anyone have any simple answers for his Year 9 class?

Lorikeet · Post by **Lorikeet** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:43 am

This is from Wikipedia: "The word pound comes from the Latin word pendere, meaning "to weigh". The Latin word libra means "scales, balances" and it also describes a Roman unit of mass similar to a pound. This is the origin of the abbreviation "lb" for the pound."

I usually use "6 feet tall" and "5 foot 4". Don't ask me why though. Sorry. Perhaps they are both possible.

celinehoran · Post by **celinehoran** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:49 am

Thanks for that. Yes I gave him the exact same answer for feet and foot and he asked me why. Who knows right? We say it as we say it.

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:56 pm

Many millions of google hits for both. Either is OK.

Macavity · Post by **Macavity** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:59 am

I don't think I ever use feet; I may do so sometimes but foot is definitely my standard.