2300 Smidgen

For years I've been tooling along with a loose set of measurements in my brain. Like in cooking, when someone tells you to add a dash of this or a smidgen of that.

Of course I've always wondered about the progression in sizes involved. Is a dash larger or smaller than a smidgen? What about a dollop or a dab?

The other day I found part of the answer. An article I read said it was actually possible to buy measuring spoons that define dash, pinch, and smidgen. The largest amount is a dash at 1/8 teaspoon. A pinch is 1/16 teaspoon. And a smidgen is the tiniest yet at 1/32 teaspoon. So you might say a pinch is a skosh more than a smidgen.

All very nebulous to the ordinary person though. I read recently where the AMA was recommending to folks that they not use ordinary household teaspoons to administer medication. Many children were being overdosed because the parent grabbed the first spoon in the drawer and some teaspoons are almost as big as tablespoons these days. 

So it's nice that it's possible to buy measuring devices that exactly quantify at least dashes, smidgens, and pinches. That still leaves dab and dollop to worry about. Maybe they are the wet measurement equivalent somehow. I can't see a dollop of salt but it certainly makes sense to use a dollop of sour cream. 

Likewise a dab. That seems more like a semi-solid drop. "A little dab'll do ya" as they used to say in the 50s Brylcreem commercials. Or when you put a dab of toothpaste on your brush. More than a smear and less than a dollop. 

It all bears a touch of consideration. Maybe I'll have a nip and figure it out. 

America, ya gotta love it.