# Time for a new Hi Opal rule **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 5, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994 "2007-02-05T22:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/21 "2007-02-06T02:40:52Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] As they say at Fourbucks: Tall \*is \* small! Which results in the sizing of a small tall, a medium grande and the screwball 20-Extra-Large. Actually, there is a truly small small, called the “short” but it’s a secret menu item that’s not displayed anywhere. [/QUOTE] Starbucks has five drink sizes. Small (short) is 8oz. The not so small (tall) is 12oz. The medium size (grande) is 16oz. Their large (vente) is 20oz. To toss a zinger in they have another large (vente) cup used for iced drinks. It’s 24oz even though vente means 20 in Italian. It _should_ be ventitrè. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/22 "2007-02-06T02:47:33Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] Starbucks has five drink sizes. Small (short) is 8oz. The not so small (tall) is 12oz. The medium size (grande) is 16oz. Their large (vente) is 20oz. To toss a zinger in they have another large (vente) cup used for iced drinks. It’s 24oz even though vente means 20 in Italian. It _should_ be ventitrè. [/QUOTE] Ventiquattro. Leaving aside the fact that they don’t use fluid ounces in Italy, so a venti really should be a “seicento.” Or, more precisely, a “cinquecento novantuno.” ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/23 "2007-02-06T02:51:08Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Ventiquattro. Leaving aside the fact that they don’t use fluid ounces in Italy, so a venti really should be a “seicento.” Or, more precisely, a “cinquecento novantuno.” [/QUOTE] Can’t I just get a small, fercrissakes? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/24 "2007-02-06T02:56:31Z")
Next thing you know, small will be equivalent to a 5 gallon drywall bucket of cola infusing directly into your radial artery, for that instant “sugar buzz like a squirrel on crack” feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/25 "2007-02-06T03:00:12Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Ventiquattro. Leaving aside the fact that they don’t use fluid ounces in Italy, so a venti really should be a “seicento.” Or, more precisely, a “cinquecento novantuno.” [/QUOTE] beeg-assio ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/26 "2007-02-06T13:39:03Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] Starbucks has five drink sizes. Small (short) is 8oz. The not so small (tall) is 12oz. The medium size (grande) is 16oz. Their large (vente) is 20oz. To toss a zinger in they have another large (vente) cup used for iced drinks. It’s 24oz even though vente means 20 in Italian. It _should_ be ventitrè. [/QUOTE] Which is the only reason we have stupid misunderstandings with Starbucks sizes. They do have a small. Nobody wants the small. People complain when they ask for a small and get the small. I’ve seen it happen. It’s not on the menu and Og knows how the hell they price it but you can get a Short cappuccino, which is exactly what one gentleman got in front of me after he repeatedly replied “No I want small” to “Tall?”. He was very disappointed with his 8oz beverage. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/27 "2007-02-06T13:43:14Z")
You know, this is why I’ve often maintained that when I start my own fast food chain, I’m only going to have two sizes. “Huge” and “Penis”. “Hi, Slortar. Can I have a burger combo?” “Would you like your fries huge or penis-sized?” “Duh.” “Penis-sized it is, sir.” ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/28 "2007-02-06T13:44:53Z")
[QUOTE=brianjedi] I’ve often wondered: if NBC ran a two-hour episode of that Patricia Arquette show, would it be an “extra-large Medium”? [/QUOTE] … And if an especially \*\*short \*\*sham-artist of this type is arrested, then escapes before bail is set, is this a case of “A small medium at large?” ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/29 "2007-02-06T13:46:51Z")
[QUOTE=kayT] McDonalds does not have a small fries. They have only medium, large, and extra large. Just ask them. [/QUOTE] McD’s don’t do small anything. At least not officially. So I found when I asked for a small coffee. “We don’t do small. Only medium and large.” “Okay, medium, thanks.” Some of their burgers are on the small side for the cost, mind … ---
**Author:** ![Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_of_the_clams)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/30 "2007-02-06T13:50:39Z")
[QUOTE=LifeOnWry] Even if you used to have three sizes - or even five sizes - once you’re down to only two sizes, _neither of them is allowed to be “medium.”_ I will accept “regular” as a alternative to small. I will not accept it as an alternative to “large.” SO SAYETH ME FOREVER AND EVER AMEN. [/QUOTE] But if you have a glass with half full of water, would you say that it was half full, half empty or just medium? ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/31 "2007-02-06T13:52:12Z")
Living in New England means Dunkin’ Donuts, and lots of 'em. While the coffee might not be great, their TV commercials are 🙂 This one doesn’t speak directly to the OP, but sort of rifs off of it (as is so often the case). Anyways, check out this commercial and have a laugh. [The Fritalian Dunkin Donut Ad. ~Bocho, Half Caf, Latte, Cinno, Mocha, Due, Avec Moi! ~My mouth can’t form these words. ~My mind can’t find these words. ~Is it french, or is it Italian? ~Perhaps Fritalian!]([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW1PNWnrQWE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW1PNWnrQWE)) ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/32 "2007-02-06T15:52:28Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Not true here; I don’t know about where you live. But, buying the small is stupid from an economy standpoint: the small is 3.2 oz. for $.99 while the medium is 4 oz. for $1.00. [/QUOTE] That’s true of the McDonald’s here as well. And yet, I order the “small” anyway, deliberately ripping myself off, because I don’t need the temptation of extra calories on my tray. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/33 "2007-02-06T16:02:34Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Not true here; I don’t know about where you live. But, buying the small is stupid from an economy standpoint: the small is 3.2 oz. for $.99 while the medium is 4 oz. for $1.00. [/QUOTE] Which speaks volumes about their cost (or lack thereof) for their food. Their cost is mostly in the paper cup they put the fries into (and advertising and payroll and rent and…) - they can give away nearly an ounce of food that costs them far less than a penny. But like **Freddy the Pig** , I’m learning not to bargain shop at fast food. It’s just not a bargain to get more yumminess that is slowly killing me. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/34 "2007-02-06T22:51:21Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] The BKs here have small, medium, large and king size. I see no problem with that sizing. [/QUOTE] I havn’t had a Burger King meal since at least the beginning of the summer.. But I remember asking the cashier why their menu only had “Medium” “Large” and “King” sized fries when all I wanted was a small fry for a snack while a friend of mine had a meal… IIRC.. She laughed and said she didn’t know.. So at least here they have it that way… Maybe its changed recently? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/35 "2007-02-06T23:00:42Z")
Maybe there is a standard sizing that the franchise agreement enforces, so that a “small” is a “small” in every BK? So that if one franchise decides not to offer a small, they can’t downgrade their medium to a small so as not to confuse customers going to _other_ BKs? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/36 "2007-02-06T23:06:27Z")
I know where this new “No size small” comes from. Condoms. Condoms have never come in size small. Even external catheters called [Condom Caths](http://ms.about.com/od/bladderbowel/a/CondomCatheter.htm), come only in medium and large. I guess, so as not to embarrass the the old man who’s so out of it he wets the bed, by disparaging his pee pee. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/37 "2007-02-06T23:10:49Z")
[QUOTE=clayton\_e] So at least here they have it that way… Maybe its changed recently? [/QUOTE] Anything’s possible. It might also be due to differences between franchises and corporate stores or it could be regional market differences. Perhaps I’m just privileged to live in an area where fast food sizing makes sense. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/38 "2007-02-06T23:14:11Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] I know where this new “No size small” comes from. Condoms. Condoms have never come in size small. [/QUOTE] You might want to ask [Mr. Iglesias](http://www.hollywoodrag.com/images/uploads/enrique_condoms.jpg) about that one. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/39 "2007-02-06T23:16:36Z")
[QUOTE=Anastasaeon] You might want to ask [Mr. Iglesias](http://www.hollywoodrag.com/images/uploads/enrique_condoms.jpg) about that one. 😃 [/QUOTE] I’m pretty sure you know this, but those are novelty items only and not suitable for actual use. Just in case. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994/40 "2007-02-07T00:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Oh, no…not “not quite”! They’re there. Turkey Hill has a gigundous mug-thing for fountain drinks. It certainly looks like 64 oz to me. [/QUOTE] And for the non-Pennsylvania Dopers who have never heard of Turkey Hill, 7-11 has the Double Gulp, which is, indeed, 64 oz. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-hi-opal-rule/390994.md?page=3)