[Geezer (OP)]

Why do we call tinfoil tinfoil when it is made out of aluminum, or even occasionally, aluminium?

[neilep]

Because it was invented by Rin Tin Tin...and to call it Rin-Tin-Tinfoil is silly and wrong !...sheesh !!...obvious isn't it ?  []

[CZARCAR]

where's CK? & dont fk with my tinfoil hat cause it worx!= a rose by any other name...

[neilep]

...also , when it was invented they could not spell 'aluminium'.....spelling it tin was a lot easier for the doggy !

[Bored chemist]

Because the idea is older then the easy availability of aluminium.
They used to make foil from tin, but now aluminium is cheaper.

[Geezer (OP)]

Because the idea is older then the easy availability of aluminium.
They used to make foil from tin, but now aluminium is cheaper.

You'll be telling me hoovers are named after some bloke next!

[Geezer (OP)]

I think it's because they thought tin sounded a lot better because everyone knows that aluminium is highly toxic.

[CliffordK]

...also , when it was invented they could not spell 'aluminium'.....spelling it tin was a lot easier for the doggy !

Obviously since you've added too many I's to the word Aluminum!!!!

[Geezer (OP)]

...also , when it was invented they could not spell 'aluminium'.....spelling it tin was a lot easier for the doggy !

Obviously since you've added too many I's to the word Aluminum!!!!

That must be it! They wanted to avoid a big pissing contest about how to spell it, so they called it tin instead.

[neilep]

...also , when it was invented they could not spell 'aluminium'.....spelling it tin was a lot easier for the doggy !

Obviously since you've added too many I's to the word Aluminum!!!!

Just copied and pasted 'Geezers' spelling !  [] []

[peppercorn]

Just copied and pasted 'Geezers' spelling !  [] []

It's handy you copied and pasted the right spelling then! []

[CliffordK]

Apparently the person who invented the word, Sir Humphry Davy actually had problems with the spelling of the word that he invented, and used both spellings, Aluminum, and Aluminium, thus causing the confusion early on.

In the American pronunciation of the word, the "i" in the last syllable is not pronounced.  In the British pronunciation, it is pronounced which further causes the split in the preferred spellings.

[Joe L. Ogan]

Isn't aluminium the way the British both spell and pronounce the word?  Thanks for comments.  Joe L. Ogan

[Geezer (OP)]

Davy originally called it alumium  []

[CliffordK]

Today I was using "Tin Snips" to cut a piece of zinc plated steel.

In the past, I've "Tinned" copper using a tin/lead alloy.

As far as the original question, it turns out there is a Wikipedia Page on it.

So, Tin Foil came before Aluminum foil.  I was actually curious on whether it was tin plated steel, or actually pure tin, and it seems to indicate that it was in fact pure tin.  However, in many senses, the aluminum foil is superior (except, for the Altzheimer's controversy). 

[Mazurka]

cos aluminium foil hat does not have the same ring to it and the following ditty would not work...

http://www.eclectech.co.uk/mindcontrol.php

our chemistry teacher insisted that aluminum was written al squiggle to avoid arguments about spelling (sorry, this does not work to well when typed...)

[Geezer (OP)]

That's hilarious! Thanks Mazurka.

[Bored chemist]

Isn't aluminium the way the British both spell and pronounce the word?  Thanks for comments.  Joe L. Ogan

Yes,
BTW, do Amercans call tin tn or are they fussy about which "i"s they drop?

[Geezer (OP)]

BTW, do Amercans call tin tn or are they fussy about which "i"s they drop?

At least they don't go dropping "h"s all over the joint  []

[CZARCAR]

yes the I is dropped from the propper spelling Sn & avoid the Sin by wearing the hat & unlike the brits, we wear hats that work.