We all know that 1tsp is 1/100 cups, 1/200 pints, 1/6oz. However, I just found the following out from rowlett's, and wonder how many americans have heard of/use the following units as thus standardised (I thought the teaspoon was the smallest unit):


saltspoon (ssp) = 1/4tsp (1/24oz)
dash = 1/8tsp (1/48oz)
pinch = 1/16tsp (1/96oz)
smidgeon = 1/32tsp (1/192oz)

I've seen that definition of dash in some cookbooks.

I have also seen the words "dash" and "pinch" used in some cookery books, but since they appear to be formally defined, how easy is it to acquire measuring devices for these amounts. Measuring sppons are quitre easy to buy in the UK - although they are called "teaspoon", "dessert spoon" and "table spoon", the fine print defines them as being 5ml, 10ml and 1ml respectively.

BTW, 1 smidgeon = 0.0052ml.

There are no measuring devices for these amounts, and the formal definitions are no more than a formality. But an experienced cook will be able to pick up a salt shaker and put in a dash without any problem.
These formal definitions are another example of trying to "scientificize" weights and measures beyond the point necessary for everyday life.

In cases where very small measurements are needed, I beleive that metric units are used almost universally.

When I was a student, I had a job in the assay office at one of South Africa's gold mines. I had to wieght the amounts of gold recovered from test samples - the amounts varied from "a trace" (less than 0.1mg) up to about 20mg. Typical weights were 1 to 2mg.

Grains of gold are still used here.

martin - what is a kruger-rand equal too?

I know its south african and i know it has something to do with gold but little else.

Any ideas?

A Kruger Rand is a gold coin that has a weight of one Troy ounce of gold (31.1g). Although when originally introduced (about 1968), it could be used as legal tender in South Africa it never was.

Before you start making any comments about the use of a non-SI measurement, the use of Troy ounces for precious metals has a long history and although the BIPM documents on SI make no reference to troy ounces, the EU permits Troy ounces to be used anywhere within the EU *when dealing in precious metals*.

It should be noted that some banks are offering 1kg bars of gold for those who wish to make such investments.

re (Martin): "...the E.U. permits Troy ounces to be used anywhere within the EU *when dealing in precious metals*".

REPLY: This 'E.U.' sounds like a very kind and caring organisation. Is there anything else they allow, I wonder?

In the contect of measuremetns, read the EU directive 181/80/EEC.

You've missed Tony's point entirely!

Some people, eh, some people... Hmm, I would say again, though, in relation to more or less every thread- will say it here because I am here- PLEASE may we stop saying "FFU"- it is a dim and ridicukous term. People on our side of the fence do not use equivelant terms to "Imperialists" and "FFU"... the latter is particularly derogatory.

Agreed Bryan

"People on our side of the fence do not use equivelant terms to "Imperialists" and "FFU"... the latter is particularly derogatory."

Unfortunately you appear to be the polite sort that doesn't even recognise that he is using those terms with the sole intention of insulting, being derogatory and causing offense.

I don't know if you've noticed but even those "on the other side" are getting pretty fed up with his nastiness.

The REALLY funny thing is that he doesn't even recognise that he's being shunned by those he thinks are on his own side!!!!

In fact, Tony Bennett himself has used the term 'imperialist'.

Yes, I said it was the lesser of evils. Still, I'ld rather it wasn't used- ironically or seriously. I prefer 'English supporter' or even 'Englishite'.... Imperialist = Imperialism = irrelevant

"In fact, Tony Bennett himself has used the term 'imperialist'"

Maybe he is doing the same thing as gays when they "adopted" the word "queer"?

What's wrong with "imperialist" and "imperial" ?

I assume it's only our American friends that don't like these words. A bit close too to "cultural imperialism" or "imperial aggressor" for comfort, perhaps ?

By the I wouldn't use the term "English supporter". It won't go down well with the Celtic Fringe (such as SteveH) because it suggests you follow national teams that know how to play football and rugby.

Unlike Wales and Scotland who can't !

"Unlike Wales and Scotland who can't !"

I shall not bite

"I prefer 'English supporter'"

This excludes many places where imperial has been used. The term 'English' is not actually used in the UK, it is used in the US. This is in the same way as many people throughout the world believe that England = UK, for example when the Amish talk of acting in an 'English' way. Such ignorance is regrettable.

The 'imperial' system itself was introduced in 1824 and was a clear example of standardisation which destroyed traditional variation in weights and measures. It was essentially the forerunner of metrication.

"or even 'Englishite'"

I'd advise against that one...

^ Mate, I know everything you just said. A few points:

1. I am British
2. "English" does not exclude Imperial- it includes it, as 'English' refers to all English measures- Imperial and US Customary etc.
3. I can see why Englishite should be avoided... but think 'imperialist' is a problem, as a lot of ppl seem to have a problem with the word 'imperial'. Not sure why.

Your assertion that Imperial was effectively the forerunner of metrication is nonsense (for more than one reason). BWMA, please reprimand this silly person.

Bryan Parry: "Your assertion that Imperial was effectively the forerunner of metrication is nonsense (for more than one reason)."

Ross has got a point though. It cannot be denied that both imperial and metric eradicated older units of measurement and replaced them with "standardised units".

er, so why support changing those "standard units"

And try to respond without saying "96%" !

Conrad,
I greatly prefer US weights and Measures. I shall leave it at that :)

No problem...

I greatly prefer metric... ;-)

"BWMA, please reprimand this silly person."

Who's being disrespectful now?

Ross, that was a joke you know. Maybe I should have put a smilie after it :)

OK, sorry!

Re:
<<
saltspoon (ssp) = 1/4tsp (1/24oz)
dash = 1/8tsp (1/48oz)
pinch = 1/16tsp (1/96oz)
smidgeon = 1/32tsp (1/192oz)
>>

I love that unit name "smidgeon" it's quite comical.

From Faulty Towers - Basil complaining to Cybil:

"I'd find it easier to cope with some of the cretins we get in here if I had a smidgeon of co-operation from you!"

:-)

Re:
<<
saltspoon (ssp) = 1/4tsp (1/24oz)
dash = 1/8tsp (1/48oz)
pinch = 1/16tsp (1/96oz)
smidgeon = 1/32tsp (1/192oz)
>>

For a long time now, the accepted definition of a teaspoon is 5 mL exactly and a tablespoon is 15 mL exactly. This is also true in the English commonwealth countries except australia, where the tablespoon is 20 mL.

If your above references are to hold true, then;

1 saltspoon would be 1.25 mL
1 dash would be 625 µL
1 pinch would be 312.5 µL
1 smidgeon would be 156.25 µL

Since the tea and table spoons have been metricated, the saltspoon can be metricated to 1 mL. The dash to 500 µL, the pinch to 250 µL and the smidgeon to 100 µL.

No one would notice the difference.

life

(think about it?)

Reality

Get a grip on it! You can't accept the fact that people are actually redining old unit names with rational metric values. As well as designing and producing new products for the 21-st century completely metric.

<<< the fact that people are actually redining old unit names with rational metric values >>>

Picture the scene...

Metric unit: "Imperial, dear fellow, do you mind awfully passing the salt"

Imperial Unit: "Why not at all metric unit - here you go - could you pass me the pepper"

Metric unit: "Here you are...."

Passing common sense observers: "Those two get on well together don't they?"
Other common sense observer: "Yes, and to think that some daft twits think they can't even dine at the same table!"


Euric - a ny resolution for you - in 2004 OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!