180/Historical Note

Historical Note on $180$

There are $180 \degrees$ in a straight angle.

Thus the colloquial expression doing a $180$, meaning turning completely around (either literally or metaphorically) to face in the opposite direction, can be found in a variety of contexts.

$180 \fahr$ is the number of degrees Fahrenheit between the melting point ($32 \fahr$) and boiling point ($212 \fahr$) of water.

Sources

• 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $180$
• 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $180$