2002-08-02
Harry,
The average amateur cook is not a chemist. Precise use of proper units is
not always the norm. The use of "teacups" and tablespoons are used because
they are common kitchen utensils. The use of volume cups is strictly and
American (maybe British too) method. Most other countries actually weigh
everything. A cup can be placed on a balance and the balance tared, then
enough oil added to make 165 g. A litre of hot water can be weighed as 1
kg.
Also, the mismatch may also have something to do with the translators.
Those who speak both English and Greek may take it upon themselves to
convert some metric units over to the odd stuff as they feel that is what is
used in the English speaking world. The editor may not know English or
English practice and just accept what the translator has done.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Harry Wyeth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, 2002-08-03 05:51
Subject: [USMA:21510] Mishmash in Greece?
> Friends returned from Greece with a cookbook, printed in English, but
> manufactured in Greece by a local publishing company.
>
> What an incredible mishmash of units! A typical receipe might include:
>
> 1.5 kilos tomatoes
> 165 gr olive oil
> 1 teacup some other liquid
> 1 litre "hot water"
> 8 tablespoons of something else
> 1/2 kilo of some sort of vegetable
>
> Teacups? Olive oil in grams ("gr")? Kilos? Not a ml or mL or kg or g to
> be seen. What are they doing down there in Greece?
>
> HARRY WYETH
>
