metric martyr

English

Noun

metric martyr (plural metric martyrs)

1. (UK) A shopkeeper who is penalized for selling goods using the imperial system primarily or exclusively, in violation of the Weights and Measures Acts.
   • 2002, New Statesman:

     Did they hold out for their heritage of Ls. Cs and Vs? Did they have their numeral martyrs as we have our metric martyrs?

   • 2006, Monica Claes, The National Courts' Mandate in the European Constitution, Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN, page 238:

     The directives were implemented in the United Kingdom by a series of subordinate instruments, amending among others the Weight and Measures Act 1985. The 'metric martyrs' had refused to use the new and continental measurements.

   • 2012, Michael Dobbs, A Sentimental Traitor, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:

     He was charged, convicted, and given a criminal record. Other metric martyrs followed in his footsteps, dragged to the dock and made criminals for giving their customers what they wanted.