How does a nautical 'calculation' invented by a political officer (which ultimately quashed a system of emmigration) end up on a common object found in most hotels?

queproblema

Good grief, Peasy! I know Matthew Maury and Nathaniel Bowditch, but they were naval officers. What's found in most hotels? Beds, of course. Used to find Gideon Bibles with that pitcher with a flame logo on 'em. Towels. Coffeepots. TVs. Tissues. Etc. Then I thought of quotas and the charts on the back of the hotel room door and found the US had a quota on towels before 2001 that dictated the size of wash cloths, for heaven's sake. William Pitt did the Royal Navy quota/impressment bit. So I'm really just asking for a little hint here in public because I don't really like private hints. But then its not kosher to be blathering on like this in public. So, dear ZB, if you can leave this up until someone can figure something out, I think it beats little pm's. Here, to include a link to those wash cloth quotas, scroll down: http://abouttowels.com/typesoftowels.html Jan 21 10, 5:47 PM

peasypod

Ok, well, um, No not Bibles, towels, coffeepots, TV's or tissues. 'Hotel' may have been a sneaky word for our US players, I see. Maggie, gmack and Baloo would have known what I meant had I had typed 'local' instead, but then, hey, there's your hint, baby. Oh I'm cruel. Focus on the emmigration bit and you will have your guy, which ultimately will give you the rest. Jan 21 10, 10:41 PM

queproblema

Qp's never been in an Australian pub, and beyond dishes and possibly darts can't imagine what's found there. Oh, and bottles, of course...hmm... Can't figure if Wilberforce or slavery might have to do with the emigration bit. Jan 25 10, 8:34 AM

gmackematix

It's time somebody drew a line under this one... Jan 25 10, 4:53 PM

MaggieG

Is it something to do with the Plimsoll line on ships and the lines that are put on pint glasses in the UK to ensure that a full pint of the amber nectar is served, and not just a substantial amount of froth? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint_glass Jan 25 10, 6:25 PM

queproblema

You've got it, Maggie! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_ships Although the "coffin ships" Plimsoll's line outlawed may not have been the same coffin ships the Irish emigrants sailed in. Copy-and-paste: Coffin ship is the name given to any boat that has been overinsured and is therefore worth more to its owners sunk than afloat. These were hazardous places to work in the days before effective maritime safety regulation. They were generally eliminated in the 1870s with the success of reforms championed by British M.P. Samuel Plimsoll. The term has also been used to refer to the ships that carried Irish emigrants escaping the effects of the potato famine as well as displaced Highlanders due to the Highland Clearances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_ships How would poor little Qp know the British have a line on their beer glasses so the pub-owners don't cheat their patrons? Jan 25 10, 7:21 PM

peasypod

See? I told you Maggie and gmack would come to the rescue! Actually I was thinking of vino but ale works as well. I came across this doozy the other night whilst completing my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. The Plimsoll Line ensures one 'standard' glass as per Australian law. A Golden Glass of sumpthin' for ya, luv. ;) Jan 26 10, 4:46 AM

Baloo55th

It's on the glasses so that a full pint of liquid is served, with space above for the head of froth. On old pint glasses, the glass held exactly a pint of still liquid, with the result that frothy beer gave smaller measures of actual liquid, or no head if the bartender ran the liquid to the top (wasting some in the process). The British like full measure and a head on their beer. Even more recently, the pint glasses have been equipped with a half-pint line. This makes it easier to serve shandy (50-50 beer/lemonade) and half'n'half (in some areas 50-50 mild and bitter). (Not to be confused with 'a half an' a wee half' which is half a pint of beer and a whisky in separate glasses and found in Scotland.) Source: (hic!) experience on both sides of bars. Jan 26 10, 7:44 AM

gmackematix

The lines on the ship and the pint are, of course, quite different. One has to have the liquid below before it can be floated, the other has to have the liquid above before it can be sunk. Jan 26 10, 6:32 PM

peasypod

On a different 'line' altogether, I'm intriqued as to how this question co-relates in any way, shape or form to the integration of Senor Big and Ms Carrie, as noted below in the 'Other Similar Questions' area.... Jan 27 10, 6:25 AM

queproblema

It includes the phrase "end up." These similarities are computer-generated. Spaghetti ULTIMATELY.... Californian bakery--common Baron von M.--common USPS--ultimately :) I know, I know; Peasy was suspecting hanky-panky in the pub. Jan 27 10, 9:53 AM