7 ms·

A better example is "coffee cream" (Google fails on this one)

• pbhjpbhj 8y ago
  Well, what is it? I imagine lists with post-specifiers are near impossible to parse too: Coffee, instant Custard, powdered Sugar Bit contrived, but still.
  • 01100011 8y ago
    That seems easy. Keep a pointer to the last item, and if you encounter a 'modifier', modify it.
    • Vendan 8y ago
      yeah, but which way? `Add custard powdered sugar to my shopping list` is is powdered custard, or powdered sugar?
    • deleted 8y ago
      [deleted]
  • chrisfosterelli 8y ago
    I see your point for longer lists, but most humans would correctly interpret "Hey, add coffee cream to my shopping list" as one item rather than two.
    • orf 8y ago
      Assuming most cultures have "coffee cream" in their common vernacular seems risky. I've never heard of it.
      • pbhjpbhj 8y ago
        This. I'd assume it's like "creamer" which is a fake milk substitute from USA I think? But, it could be coffee flavoured cream; or "coffee creams" which are biscuits in the UK, or maybe some sort of confection? Yeah, I should just look it up ...
        • chrisfosterelli 8y ago
          "coffee cream" AKA "half and half" in much of the US or "half cream" in the UK
          • pbhjpbhj 8y ago
            I (native UK) have never heard of "half cream", is that like "single cream"?
            • chc 8y ago
              Half cream is less than single cream. AFAIK single cream has half the milkfat of whipping cream, while half-and-half/half cream has about 1/3.