[MissMontana (OP)]

Can anyone tell me where the expression 'acid test' (and not the electric koolaid kind) comes from?

[Ylide]

I found this on a website:  

In former days aquafortis, or nitric acid was used to test the genuineness of gold, which remains unaffected by the action of other acids, to assist in making valuations when buying or selling. The acid test - the name goes back to the Middle Ages - was accepted as definitive and, in its more general modern sense, still is.


The website is http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayings.htm

it has a lot of interesting info.

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[Ylide]

Oops, use this link:  http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayindex.htm

The other one is just the phrases starting with A



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[MissMontana (OP)]

Thanks for that, I'd been watching a TV show where they were testing for lime using hydrochloric acid and used the team 'acid test', made me wonder about it's origins

[MissMontana (OP)]

really like that link

[Gneiss]

MissMontana - The 'acid' or 'fizz test' is also a method used by geologists in the field to differentiate between limestone and other types of rock, usually sandstones.

One of the few things I did pick up from my geology days []

[MayoFlyFarmer]

speaking of "electric koolaide'.... anyone here read that book? I've been contemplating on whether it should be my next, but I'd love tro hear some opinions on it first.

Yar, the flies be everywhere!!!

[Ylide]

It's good if you're hip to drug culture or are at least morbidly interested in it.  If you're a puritan or quaker or something, I'd shy away.  



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[gsmollin]

No doubt, "cannabinoid" is hip to drug culture... or at least morbidly interested. Maybe I'll change my screen name to "Mr. Tambourine Man".

[MayoFlyFarmer]

Old King Cole was a merry old soul.....    
.....he called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, and I yelled back "Dude, I heard you the first time!"

This is a signature.... AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!!

[gsmollin]

No doubt, "cannabinoid" is hip to drug culture... or at least morbidly interested. Maybe I'll change my screen name to "Mr. Tambourine Man".

[MayoFlyFarmer]

Old King Cole was a merry old soul.....    
.....he called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, and I yelled back "Dude, I heard you the first time!"

This is a signature.... AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!!