ELI5 The Metric System - why is lbs the abbreviation for pounds?

Why is the abbreviation for the unit of weight, pounds LBS? Where did the metric system come from in the first place? Why is it so confusing to figure out if the USA an adopter of the metric system or not? Is there a metric system for time?

.. we explain like I'm five

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: stratocast7, londonpilot, wengerista, foxmt, tmdaniel, invincibill, voltronforlife and carbondnb

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

[email protected]