Why tinfoil?

Geezer · « **on:** 13/10/2011 18:55:05 »

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

neilep · « **Reply #1 on:** 13/10/2011 18:59:46 »

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

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CZARCAR · « **Reply #2 on:** 13/10/2011 19:11:55 »

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

neilep · « **Reply #3 on:** 13/10/2011 19:15:57 »

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

Bored chemist · « **Reply #4 on:** 13/10/2011 19:30:14 »

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

Geezer · « **Reply #5 on:** 13/10/2011 19:48:50 »

Quote from: Bored chemist on 13/10/2011 19:30:14

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13/10/2011 19:57:50 »

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

CliffordK · « **Reply #7 on:** 13/10/2011 20:06:19 »

Quote from: neilep on 13/10/2011 19:15:57

...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 · « **Reply #8 on:** 13/10/2011 20:08:28 »

Quote from: CliffordK on 13/10/2011 20:06:19

Quote from: neilep on 13/10/2011 19:15:57
...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 · « **Reply #9 on:** 14/10/2011 05:15:00 »

Quote from: CliffordK on 13/10/2011 20:06:19

Quote from: neilep on 13/10/2011 19:15:57
...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 ! [

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peppercorn · « **Reply #10 on:** 14/10/2011 11:56:08 »

Quote from: neilep on 14/10/2011 05:15:00

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

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

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CliffordK · « **Reply #11 on:** 14/10/2011 19:23:22 »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** 14/10/2011 20:11:26 »

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

Geezer · « **Reply #13 on:** 14/10/2011 20:12:14 »

Davy originally called it alumium [

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CliffordK · « **Reply #14 on:** 17/10/2011 07:06:01 »

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 · « **Reply #15 on:** 17/10/2011 10:10:16 »

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 · « **Reply #16 on:** 17/10/2011 19:15:29 »

That's hilarious! Thanks Mazurka.

Bored chemist · « **Reply #17 on:** 17/10/2011 21:03:27 »

Quote from: Joe L. Ogan on 14/10/2011 20:11:26

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 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17/10/2011 21:16:33 »

Quote from: Bored chemist on 17/10/2011 21:03:27

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 [

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CZARCAR · « **Reply #19 on:** 17/10/2011 21:23:57 »

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.

Why tinfoil?

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