thing
I hesitate to correct such an excellent comment but, I don't think it was Cecil Rhodes. Somehow the name Geoffrey Boycott - who ever he is is - keeps creeping unbidden into what passes for my brain.
Mach Jump
I don't go too far these days but, still fly the length and breadth of this country and have heard 'thingies' referred to just once !
Both QFE and QNH being given as just the number without reference to either 'thingies' or millibars.