On: The extraordinary shelf life of the deep sea sandwiches

[lotsofpulp]

As an American English speaker, I have never come across context where a handful means about five. Handful has meant a relatively small amount, with the actual quantity always depending on the context of the item being discussed.

[derefr → lotsofpulp]

The parent says "about five" because you have to choose to say "a handful" over "a few" or "several" or "a dozen or so" or just "many." Five is the sweet spot where none of those other terms apply.

[eCa → lotsofpulp]

As a non-native English speaker, I’m curious about what the minimum and maximum values of handful would be (and what the items being referred to are)?

When the same term is used in my (western European) language, I would probably put the assumed range in 4-6, potentially 3-7.

[thaumasiotes → eCa]

I wouldn't think about it in terms of minimum and maximum values. I'd use "a handful" to emphasize ideas like this:

- The number of items being quantified is small

- You could make and understand a list that included them all

- I don't know the exact number offhand

But what counts as a "small number" varies depending on what you're talking about.

[pengaru → lotsofpulp]

Agreed. A handful of M&Ms or Skittles is far more than five...