Why do they publish Michelle Obama's height to the quarter inch?

To the quarter inch. Because that’s what the doctor tells me with the ruler that sits on my head. (You know, it has that bar out from it that they push down until it sits on your head, then you read the bottom reading which says how tall you are.)

Well, 1/4 of an inch is approximately 0.6cm… we measure height to 0.5cm precisely, so it isn’t that big a deal.

Because inquiring minds want to know?

I don’t know who this “they” is, but she told Barbara Walters she was 5 ft 11 in.

The real question is, who the heck wants to know Michelle Obama’s height down to the quarter inch? Hmm?

sometimes the media just amazes me…

@La_chica_gomela: That’s what I’d do, too.

@EmpressPixie: do you really trust that instrument’s accuracy? Even if you do, what do you think of people who don’t round to the nearest half inch, when reporting height?

I don’t really care what other people do when they report height. I care about accuracy, so I report as accurately as I can. If other people want to round, that is their prerogative.

Well, I think half inch is as accurate as it can meaningfully get. I think quarter inch is bogus. I don’t care if you use the doctors machine. Those machines are not always used the same way from one measurer to another. People can slouch one time—just slightly—and stretch up another time. Our height changes when we lie down compared to standing up. It is different at different times of the day. Or before and after a massage or a yoga session.

The quarter inch provide a precision that I don’t believe is there. In fact, I think it’s quite inaccurate compared to the half inch. I’m not even sure a half inch is justifiable.

What a lot of uproar over nothing.

The real answer:
We who love Michelle for her other qualities want to amuse ourselves with that final quarter-inch just for fun.

Depends on how neurotic you are, Daloon.
I definitely measure height to the 1/4 inch.

Though I would not recommend
trying to measure someone to the 1/8 inch.

Me: Stop moving! I almost got it!
Friend: I AM staying still! Why is this taking so damn long?
(She didn’t realize that I was trying to measure to the 1/8 inch.)
Me: Could you hold your breathe for a second?
Friend: I am going to KILL you! What the hell are you writing down?
(I was writing down multiple measurements. I took the average of them.)

Ah @Nimis, you are a man after my own heart. I trust you took multiple measurements on different days, and at random times during the day? Of course you did. I’m amazed that your friend was that cooperative. How did you calibrate your measurement method?

I actually did try to convince her to let me
measure her at different times of the day.
You know, that whole you’re-shorter-at-night thing.

Subject was uncooperative. [sad face]

I get mad when people say I’m 5’8”. I have another half inch god damn it.

@asmonet: Ya know, I totally feel your pain. My cheeks are wet! I don’t know how I can live another day. [Daloon is only 5’ 5.5”, and needs every half inch he can muster]

Haha, it’s just that I come from a very short family, aside from my father everyone is under 5’5”. My grandparents were even shorter. So growing up I decided I was going to make it to 5’10” and if I couldn’t manage that 5’8” would be acceptable. I made it to 5’8” at fifteen and then got another half inch over the next few years. I’d have a serious complex if I’d been shorter. I have no idea why I latched on to this as a kid. Probably cause I was always the smallest and my family was smallest and no one could ever just grab something off the shelf. Boo

Of course, now…I’m the high shelf grabbing bitch for everyone around me. Backfire?

@asmonet: wow! You willed yourself to tallness? How’d you do that? You should have told my grandmother your trick. She was always pissed at my mother because my mother married a short man. My grandmother desperately wanted tall grandsons.

@daloon: Dude, I have no idea. I think it was the universe’s way of saying, fine have this one thing if it keeps you from a psychotic break. I’m obsessed with height, but thankfully only my own. If I ever figure out how I managed it, I’ll be sure to share the secret with anyone who wants it. ;)

@asmonet: fwiw, I don’t know if I ever had a relationship with a woman who was shorter than me. No, there was one. My wife is around your height, too. But, who knows why, my daughter is either running late on her growth spurt, or will end up short, like me. My son seems to be on track to attain a greater height.