# Is there another term to use than "mileage" when discussing kilometers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295 "2017-03-29T16:07:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/1 "2017-03-29T16:07:05Z")
The term mileage is from the English measure of a mile. But the term is equally used when discussing kilometers traveled, when I read news articles or professional trade documents. But the terms usage in those contexts makes my brain hurt. Is there another word when referring to metric measures? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/2 "2017-03-29T16:40:22Z")
I’m not sure there is a direct equivalent, which is why mileage is still often used, even in a metric context (in english language circles, that is). To avoid it, you’d need to widen your terms depending on context. If you’re talking about how much fuel your car is using, I’d use the term ‘fuel consumption’. If you mean mileage in terms of distance, I’d use ‘distance in kms’. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/3 "2017-03-29T16:43:10Z")
In general “mileage” does not have to be associated with literal miles. Of course that’s the origin but today we use it to illustrate length of use - “I got pretty good mileage out of that hammer” for example. The origin of "mile is the Latin "mille " which is a thousand, So it can also apply to a thousand metres or a thousand uses. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/4 "2017-03-29T16:51:57Z")
In France I believe they use litres per 100 km as a measure of fuel consumption. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/5 "2017-03-29T16:59:02Z")
Footage. Which is still used in the digital audio/video world even though it refers to a moving physical medium that is no longer (much) used. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/6 "2017-03-29T17:04:49Z")
In Norwegian we use different constructs and different terms, none of which have to do with kilometers. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/7 "2017-03-29T17:13:56Z")
Interesting OP, in many language/culture longtitudinal constructs. We happen to be in a quickly changing techno environment, as > [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Footage. Which is still used in the digital audio/video world even though it refers to a moving physical medium that is no longer (much) used. nicely cites, where it is most apparent, but the question and response by language users of varying sizes and definitions is a live wire in cultural transformation in general. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/8 "2017-03-29T17:20:16Z")
I’d have to agree the term “mileage” now had broader meaning in English that its original, literal definition. I use the term, despite the fact I’m in Canada and when I think of distance I think in term of kilometres. If spomeone said “what kinda mileage does your car get” I’d respond with an approximation of its litres/100km consumption, and I would be 100% certain the person asking, assuming they were Canadian, would take that to be a totally logical answer to theirquestion. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/9 "2017-03-29T17:21:19Z")
Here’s​ the tape of footage I filmed. \ ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/10 "2017-03-29T17:24:08Z")
🙂 I count five. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/11 "2017-03-29T18:37:27Z")
kilometage? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/12 "2017-03-29T18:38:59Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > In France I believe they use litres per 100 km as a measure of fuel consumption. They do the same in Australia, but Australians still often use the term “mileage” in conversation. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/13 "2017-03-29T19:12:13Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > The term mileage is from the English measure of a mile. But the term is equally used when discussing kilometers traveled, when I read news articles or professional trade documents. But the terms usage in those contexts makes my brain hurt. Is there another word when referring to metric measures? Why should they be? Do you get headaches if something has a western orientation? How about referring to a full-grown eagle as a bird? Or calling a bit of evidence of a crime a clue? Or thinking “He’s a nice person” as a compliment? Bottom line: The initial meaning of a word is often utterly irrelevant to its current meaning. “Mileage” means “gasoline consumption.” The fact that it’s based on “mile” is just a trivial fact. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/14 "2017-03-29T19:21:46Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > kilometage? In French it’s _kilometrage_. If it was felt such a word was needed in English, the simplest course would just be to adopt the French. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/15 "2017-03-29T19:27:38Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > In France I believe they use litres per 100 km as a measure of fuel consumption. > [@RickJay](#): > > If spomeone said “what kinda mileage does your car get” I’d respond with an approximation of its litres/100km consumption, and I would be 100% certain the person asking, assuming they were Canadian, would take that to be a totally logical answer to theirquestion. Interestingly, that’s a reciprocal of (US) “mileage” rather than an exact replacement – the volume and distance are reversed in numerator/denominator. In the US, higher “mileage” is good, in Canada, lower “mileage” is good? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/16 "2017-03-29T19:32:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’d have to agree the term “mileage” now had broader meaning in English that its original, literal definition. I use the term, despite the fact I’m in Canada and when I think of distance I think in term of kilometres. > > If spomeone said “what kinda mileage does your car get” I’d respond with an approximation of its litres/100km consumption, and I would be 100% certain the person asking, assuming they were Canadian, would take that to be a totally logical answer to theirquestion. While I agree totally with this, many people still calculate their mileage in miles. Well, people my age(ish) and older at least. It’s just too familiar a concept to abandon. And it reminds me that most Canadians (of a certain age) will use Fahrenheit to express swimming water temperatures: “The pool’s at 80! Come on over!” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/17 "2017-03-29T19:34:30Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > Interestingly, that’s a reciprocal of (US) “mileage” rather than an exact replacement – the volume and distance are reversed in numerator/denominator. In the US, higher “mileage” is good, in Canada, lower “mileage” is good? Yep. 6 l / 100 kms is good “mileage.” ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/18 "2017-03-29T19:41:18Z")
Are there more of these words? Unit of measurement + “age”. When did they stop being coined? We have footage and mileage as mentioned, also voltage (and even weirder words like “amperage” and “wattage”). I assume this construction mostly comes from French? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/19 "2017-03-29T19:43:47Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > In French it’s _kilometrage_. If it was felt such a word was needed in English, the simplest course would just be to adopt the French. Adopt them? Wouldn’t it be easier just to learn the language? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295/20 "2017-03-29T19:49:11Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > In French it’s _kilometrage_. If it was felt such a word was needed in English, the simplest course would just be to adopt the French. But that refers to km in the odometer (to how many km a car has), rather than to fuel consumption (which IME appears to be how a large amount of EFL speakers use the term); that makes “mileage” and its apparent siblings from Romance languages false friends. In Romance languages, fuel consumption is given in terms of the units, which vary by location (liters per 100km is the usual, and often abbreviated along the lines of “liters per 100”, but some locations use the US-style equation with metric units: km per liter). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-another-term-to-use-than-mileage-when-discussing-kilometers/783295.md?page=2)