# Reese's Peanut Butter Cups question **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 27, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699 "2014-10-27T23:51:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/161 "2014-11-04T02:51:02Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > So those who say it’s not a bar because it’s not shaped like a bar must not dial a phone since the numbers are no longer in a circular configuration. > [@](#): > > **Dial** 1. call (a telephone number) by turning a disk with numbered holes or **pressing a set of buttons.** > [@](#): > > . **candy bar** - a candy shaped as a bar Analogy fail. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/162 "2014-11-04T02:54:42Z")
Bah! That just means the morphing of the definition of “bar” lags behind the morphing of the definition of “dial.” Reese’s is still a candy bar, as most Dopers so far agree in the poll. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/163 "2014-11-04T03:00:17Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > This, with one caveat; it is pronounced REE_sez_, so as to rhyme with _pieces_. Hence, _Reese’s Pieces_. NOT REE_seez_, so as to rhyme with feces. > > You can call it a candy bar, a disk like confection, or any damned thing else that tickles your fancy, but for the love of sweet chocolate, do not say _Reesy’s_:mad: - And the head coach…wants no sissies… And so he makes us all eat something he calls Rissy’s.\* ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/164 "2014-11-04T03:03:57Z")
To qualify as a candy bar you should be able to add “bar” to the name. Snickers = Snickers bar MilkyWay = MilkyWay bar Twix = Twix bar Reeses Peanutbutter Cup = Reeses Peanutbutter Cup bar? Aw, hell no! What kind of messedup thinking is that? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/165 "2014-11-04T03:09:00Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > To qualify as a candy bar you should be able to add “bar” to the name. > > Snickers = Snickers bar > MilkyWay = MilkyWay bar > Twix = Twix bar > > Reeses Peanutbutter Cup = Reeses Peanutbutter Cup bar? > > Aw, hell no! What kind of messedup thinking is that? Plus there actually was such a thing as a [Reese’s Peanut Butter Bar](http://www.mikescandywrappers.com/reesebar0506.html). (I assume the “yes” votes here would simply say both the cup and the bar forms are candy bars. Which I do understand, if that’s not how I use the terms myself.) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/166 "2014-11-04T03:13:53Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Bah! That just means the morphing of the definition of “bar” lags behind the morphing of the definition of “dial.” Reese’s is still a candy bar, as most Dopers so far agree in the poll. Reese’s PBCs were introduced in 1928. The push button phone was introduced in 1963. Reese’s PBCs has had a 35 year head start yet they’ve failed to “morph”, while the definition of candy bar already has? Never mind the fact that the company that makes these things calls them PBCs not a candy bar. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/167 "2014-11-04T03:17:10Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > - > > And the head coach…wants no sissies… > And so he makes us all eat something he calls Rissy’s.\* Nooooooooooooooo! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/168 "2014-11-04T04:54:59Z")
One description of a “bar” would be a cylindrical extrusion of metal or other hard substance, similar to a “rod”; no specific length is given for what is too short to be a bar, so the PBC could be seen a being a short cross-section of a cylindrical bar, much like a Rolo is. Or, viewed from the other side, one might think of sitting in a drinking establishment and infer that the word is just shorthand for “barstool”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/169 "2014-11-04T13:27:09Z")
And maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the phrase “dial a phone” has been falling out of use lately anyway. It’s still used, but it doesn’t seem to be used as much. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/170 "2014-11-04T23:11:45Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > One description of a “bar” would be a cylindrical extrusion of metal or other hard substance, similar to a “rod”; no specific length is given for what is too short to be a bar, so the PBC could be seen a being a short cross-section of a cylindrical bar, much like a Rolo is. > > Or, viewed from the other side, one might think of sitting in a drinking establishment and infer that the word is just shorthand for “barstool”. a cylinder or a cylindrical section has parallel sides. a PBC is conical or a conical section. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/171 "2014-11-04T23:16:31Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the phrase “dial a phone” has been falling out of use lately anyway. It’s still used, but it doesn’t seem to be used as much. My phone has bars. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/172 "2014-11-04T23:23:30Z")
It’s candy, but it’s not a bar. It’s a cup. It’s also delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Mithras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mithras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithras)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/173 "2014-11-05T14:06:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > My phone has bars. My first cell phone was a candy bar style Nokia. It would have been a lot more usable if it was a single piece and not shaped like hockey pucks. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/174 "2014-11-05T15:07:22Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > How in the shit is “yes” leading this poll? No it’s not a candy bar. In what world is it a candy bar? It’s like I’m living in bizarro world or something. Seriously, I’m surprised that a majority of voters consider it a candy bar. Because to some people (myself included) the term ‘candy bar’ has moved beyond the definition of the two words individually; and have come to mean something different when used together. i.e. candy, usually covered with chocolate and often containing nuts and caramel. So, in the technical sense, no it’s not a bar. But it wouldn’t raise any red flags to me I said “Get me a candy bar, I don’t care what kind;” but then was handed a Reese’s. I don’t think I would dismiss the effort and declare “This is NOT a candy bar!” And whoever of you that would… I’d think you were being pedantic. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/175 "2014-11-05T15:15:04Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > So, in the technical sense, no it’s not a bar. But it wouldn’t raise any red flags to me I said “Get me a candy bar, I don’t care what kind;” but then was handed a Reese’s. I don’t think I would dismiss the effort and declare “This is NOT a candy bar!” Well, no, that’d be rude. But it would not be what I was expecting. I have changed my expectations after seeing this poll and knowing that there is a usage split, and will alter my requests to be more specific when I specifically want a candy bar as opposed to just any chocolate/candy confectionary. Yes, I love Reese’s (they are perhaps my favorite confection in the candy bar aisle), but sometimes I don’t want to fiddle with the damned things and just want a bar-form candy. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/176 "2014-11-05T16:09:05Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Because to some people (myself included) the term ‘candy bar’ has moved beyond the definition of the two words individually; and have come to mean something different when used together. i.e. candy, usually covered with chocolate and often containing nuts and caramel. > > So, in the **technica** l sense, no it’s not a bar. But it wouldn’t raise any red flags to me I said “Get me a candy bar, I don’t care what kind;” but then was handed a Reese’s. I don’t think I would dismiss the effort and declare “This is NOT a candy bar!” > > And whoever of you that would… I’d think you were being pedantic. This is what’s bugging me about this poll. The OP asked a very specific (technical) question. He was asking us to classify what type of candy RPCs are. If he had asked: “What’s your favorite candy bar?” and people responded with “RPCs” I wouldn’t have thought nothing of it. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/177 "2014-11-05T19:10:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > My phone has bars. Nice. 🙂 Oh, and I have no animosity toward anyone saying that the RPBCs are not bars. You are logically correct, if not semantically correct in all ideolects. I remember moving from California to Ohio and shocking people with the sloppy way that I used the word coke. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/178 "2014-11-05T21:17:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Peppermint Patty is obviously a character from Peanuts. Which is ironic because the candy involves no peanuts, just coconut. Is coconut a nut? Or a fruit? And what do you call those cacao things? Is chocolate a vegetable or a fruit? I just came to point out that York Peppermint Patties do not have any coconut in them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2014, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/179 "2014-11-07T12:46:55Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > This is what’s bugging me about this poll. The OP asked a very specific (technical) question. He was asking us to classify what type of candy RPCs are. > > If he had asked: “What’s your favorite candy bar?” and people responded with “RPCs” I wouldn’t have thought nothing of it. I think what you aren’t getting is that, for a lot of us, paragraph one necessarily follows from the acceptance of paragraph two. If a valid response to “What’s your favorite candy bar?” is RPC, then RPC must be a candy bar in some sense. It’s essentially the descriptivist/prescriptivist divide. If RPC can be used in a place that asks for a candy bar answer, then it is candy bar, no matter the technical specifications. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699/180 "2014-11-07T14:09:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I think what you aren’t getting is that, for a lot of us, paragraph one necessarily follows from the acceptance of paragraph two. If a valid response to “What’s your favorite candy bar?” is RPC, then RPC must be a candy bar in some sense. Yeah, that’s interesting. If I asked someone what their favorite candy bar was, and RPC was an answer, I don’t think I would think anything of it. But if someone asked me what my favorite candy bar was, I wouldn’t even think of RPC. I’d probably answer “Snickers” or “Heath,” even though I prefer RPC to both of those. It’s not a technical thing; it’s just that my brain personally doesn’t go there when I think “candy bar.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-question/702699.md?page=10)