cultural phrases - Why isn't the yard used as a base unit for measuring heights?


I don't know if this is the right forum for this question, but, do what I would, I could not find a better one.


During my visit to London I stumbled upon something I couldn't quite grasp:


Why, even though the yard an acceptable unit of distance, height is invariably measured in feet?


For example: The Shard is 309 meters tall, which is sometimes presented as 1016 ft but not something like 338 yards?


What is the reason for this?




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

etymology - Origin of "s--t eating grin"

etymology - Since when has "a hot minute" meant a long time?

etymology - Why "silver-tongued" for someone who is convincing?

usage - "there doesn't seem" vs. "there don't seem"

etymology - Origin of "queer as a clockwork orange"

First floor vs ground floor, usage origin

meaning - What is meant by "don't piss on my boots and tell me it's raining"?