Why is 100 called a ton?

[handdrummer]

Why is 100 called a ton?

[lindosfan1]

Why is 100 called a ton?

The ton is derived from the tun, the term applied to a cask of the largest capacity. This could contain a volume between 175 and 213 imperial gallons (210 and 256 US gal; 800 and 970 l), which could weigh around 2,000 pounds (910 kg) and occupy some 60 cubic feet (1.7 m3) of space.

[handdrummer]

Why is 100 called a ton?

The ton is derived from the tun, the term applied to a cask of the largest capacity. This could contain a volume between 175 and 213 imperial gallons (210 and 256 US gal; 800 and 970 l), which could weigh around 2,000 pounds (910 kg) and occupy some 60 cubic feet (1.7 m3) of space.

Aha! Thank you. Very esoteric.

[Lost]

Why is 100 called a ton?

The ton is derived from the tun, the term applied to a cask of the largest capacity. This could contain a volume between 175 and 213 imperial gallons (210 and 256 US gal; 800 and 970 l), which could weigh around 2,000 pounds (910 kg) and occupy some 60 cubic feet (1.7 m3) of space.

Aha! Thank you. Very esoteric.

Esoteric. Cool word that I'd never heard of before and now stored in the ol' bank. Cheers.

[HHTel]

Actually there's no definitive answer. There are many theories but nothing concrete.
It's accepted that it came from the french meaning cask.

A unit used in measuring the carrying capacity or burden of a ship, the amount of cargo, freight, etc. Originally, the space occupied by a tun cask of wine

Now, for the purposes of registered tonnage, the space of 100 cubic feet. For purposes of freight, usually the space of 40 cubic feet, unless that bulk would weigh more than 20 cwt., in which case freight is charged by weight. But the expression ‘ton of cargo’ is also used with regard to special packages which are conventionally assumed as going so many packages to the ton.

Confused. Of course!

[Nereus]

It is also slang for 100. 100 mph is a ton, 100 quid is a ton, many different meanings in slang talk.

[Bamboo Grove]

It's a common expression in darts when someone hits a score of 100.

[handdrummer]

In the US, there's the expression, "a ton of crap." Meaning, of course, a lot of crap. Not particularly esoteric.