decimal fraction

Used in a minority of countries to pretend the presence of a metric system, when in fact a non-metric system is used. Instead of using a designated smaller unit or real fraction, the bigger unit is used with a decimal point.

More often used in combination with the decimal system to describe numbers that are not even.

Geoff: “It’m 6 feet and 5 inches tall.”

Heidi: “uh… I only know the metric system.”

Geoff: “Oh, sorry. That’s 6 5/12 feet.”

Heidi: “That’s a real fraction, not metric, though.”

Geoff: “Oh right. I mean 6.42 feet.”

Heidi: “OK, that’s a decimal fraction alright, but still not metric 🤣”
Geoff: “Hey Siri, what’s 6 feet and 5 inches in metric?”
Siri: “6 feet, 5 inches is equivalent to about 1.96 meters.”