Random wonderments

[capri0mni]

• Why, in English, do we make a distinction (subtle, I admit) between "Long" and "Tall," but we only have one word for "short"?



• Why are so many food things packed in groups of six, (six packs of beer/soda, six granola bars to a box, etc.), when there are seven days to the week?



• Why is salt always paired with black pepper, and not some other spice?



• Who figured out what the "Alphabetical Order" is, and when?



• Why do I have a feeling that there should be five questions in this list, instead of four?

Comments

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

You should read The Straight Dope (www.straightdope.com, I think). I'm sure you'd find the answers to at least some of those in the archives, and you can ask the rest! Plus, it's funny. :)

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I bet they have an answer for the alphabet, in anycase....

Btw, the other day, when I was researching my recent post on Susanna Shakespeare Hall, I came across the legend that said Shakespeare was a teacher before he became a playwright. And the site used what I presume was an Elizabethan word for "tutor for young children": an Abecedarian. Hee!

[pedanther]

They don't appear to have an answer for the alphabet (although perhaps I just didn't hit the right search terms).

They do, however, have an answer for salt and pepper.

[pedanther]

Update: The Straight Dope has just added a column on the history of alphabetical order.

[indefatigable42.livejournal.com]

2. Six is not a prime number. It can be arranged in a rectangle that is something other than 1x6 units. It would be hard to arrange seven in a package that is convenient to carry as well as an efficient use of space (you could have 2x4 with one slot empty, but then you might as well sell a box of 8 instead of 7).

5. Because it's Chinese New Year and 4 is an unlucky number. If you buy rice bowls from a store that sells Asian housewares, you'll get 5 in a box. In Toronto I've noticed that it's as common for buildings to be missing a fourth floor as it is for them to be missing a thirteenth. Gung hei fat choi. ^^

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

2) Yeah. I was thinking 8, or even 10, would make more sense. Most people I know prefer to go shopping once a week. Putting 8 servings (of breakfast food, especially) in a package just makes more sense -- that way, at the end of the week, you're less likely to have a completely bare cupboard. ... of course, that may be the reason, right there ;-). Though, if they wanted to, manufacturers could charge a little extra for the conveniencen. Otoh, the powdered milk I buy comes in packets of 5 or 10; of course, there, slightly squishy envelopes can be fit together in a box, and the box will always be rectangular.

5) Good thing I came up with a fifth question, isn't it? I was also thinking it may have something to do with having 5 fingers. ...Which may be part of the reason 4 is unlucky (which finger do you want to lose?). And pentagons are pretty, too...