I have no clue

[cassidyta]

I started doing some much needed tackle bag cleaning today when my 14 year old son came out to the garage to get a soda. He glanced over and gave me the fairly common, "whatya doing?" I stated that I was just doing a little organizing and told him I could use a hand. He helped me sort through various baits and sort them by color and type. He then said "Dad, I have a fishing question".
My chest pushed out as I was ready to be "Super Dad". I was formulating answers to such questions as "What is slow rolling a spinnerbait, or how does weather affect the bass". Nope, his question was what is the difference between a 2/0 and a 3/0 hook. Before I could open my mouth, he said, "don't just tell me one is bigger, how do they measure them"
Damn, there goes my immediate response.
I told him that I would find out and he just shrugged and finished sorting colors.
Well, once he went back inside. I jumped on google. Sadly, I have no better guess than before. Wikipedia states that there is no real standard. A 1 is the middle hook and they get bigger (upto 19/0)or smaller (32) from there.
I found a site that stated that the measurement is made by comparing gap size, to the length of the shaft, but it still does not explain how the size is determined in the first place.

I am hoping someone on here can help. If not I am forced to use the technique used by fathers for centuries....Yep, I am not above lying to my kids.....

Right now I am leaning to a story where the hook size is based on a game played by the Aztecs. One where they got points for specific sizes of fish. I am considering saying that the measurement is based on how wide the fish's mouth would open.