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Why It’s Illegal to Use Milk Crates for Anything Besides Milk (2013)

8 points by pje 12y ago

gumby 12y ago
I wonder if the arrival of the CD helped? The milk crate is precisely the right size for the storage of 12 inch LP albums (presumably just a hair over 12 inches inside diameter). Using the crate on its side, they are a cube 12"(+ a hair) H & W and a smidgeon under 12" deep, which meant you could actually get to the cover (the albums would be marginally proud in that orientation IIRC. Plus you could then use the crates as the legs of a coffee table or whatnot. Err, or so I've been told.
nhayden 12y ago
I don't understand how professional writers constantly misuse "begs the question".
- wodenokoto 12y ago
  Because professional writers caught up with the times and use it to mean what everybody understand it to mean.
  - mdellabitta 12y ago
    We need something to mean what "begs the question" used to mean, then, because it's an important concept to be aware of.
  - nhayden 12y ago
    Or they could be less confusing with their writing, use "raises the question" like they intended to, and not look stupid in the process.
    - dllthomas 12y ago
      Or, for variety, "begs us to ask".
- esbranson 12y ago
  Because its English. There is no such thing as "misuse". Words mean what readers and writers think they mean. Its a communication medium, not an exercise in bureaucracy.
  - nhayden 12y ago
    I don't get why people defend incorrect language usage but wouldn't defend terrible misspellings, like "definitely" as "defiantly". They're both equally "wrong" but one is acceptable and one isn't. I agree that language is an evolution and there is no "wrong", but that doesn't stop people from looking stupid by trying write intelligently and falling on their faces.
randyrand 12y ago
Why not just charge for the crates and have it be refunded when returned?
mcv 12y ago
In Netherland, the folding crates of Albert.nl, the delivery branch of big supermarket chain Albert Heijn, are very popular. They're sturdy, they fold up, everybody uses them for everything, and the delivery men totally support your right to use them for whatever you like. And albert.nl doesn't lose any money on it, because you pay a 4 euro deposit for the crate. If you keep it, they've already got the money to replace it. So why don't US dairy companies do that?

8 points by pje 12y ago

gumby 12y ago

I wonder if the arrival of the CD helped? The milk crate is precisely the right size for the storage of 12 inch LP albums (presumably just a hair over 12 inches inside diameter). Using the crate on its side, they are a cube 12"(+ a hair) H & W and a smidgeon under 12" deep, which meant you could actually get to the cover (the albums would be marginally proud in that orientation IIRC. Plus you could then use the crates as the legs of a coffee table or whatnot. Err, or so I've been told.

nhayden 12y ago

I don't understand how professional writers constantly misuse "begs the question".

wodenokoto 12y ago
Because professional writers caught up with the times and use it to mean what everybody understand it to mean.
- mdellabitta 12y ago
  We need something to mean what "begs the question" used to mean, then, because it's an important concept to be aware of.
- nhayden 12y ago
  Or they could be less confusing with their writing, use "raises the question" like they intended to, and not look stupid in the process.
  - dllthomas 12y ago
    Or, for variety, "begs us to ask".
esbranson 12y ago
Because its English. There is no such thing as "misuse". Words mean what readers and writers think they mean. Its a communication medium, not an exercise in bureaucracy.
- nhayden 12y ago
  I don't get why people defend incorrect language usage but wouldn't defend terrible misspellings, like "definitely" as "defiantly". They're both equally "wrong" but one is acceptable and one isn't. I agree that language is an evolution and there is no "wrong", but that doesn't stop people from looking stupid by trying write intelligently and falling on their faces.

randyrand 12y ago

Why not just charge for the crates and have it be refunded when returned?

mcv 12y ago

In Netherland, the folding crates of Albert.nl, the delivery branch of big supermarket chain Albert Heijn, are very popular. They're sturdy, they fold up, everybody uses them for everything, and the delivery men totally support your right to use them for whatever you like. And albert.nl doesn't lose any money on it, because you pay a 4 euro deposit for the crate. If you keep it, they've already got the money to replace it. So why don't US dairy companies do that?