As I thought back about a year ago, I am happy enough to see that the government in the UK is allowing a new 2/3s pint - if only because more choice is better, right? But it is a little odd that the matter of a reasonable pour of a walloping brew is a matter for government intervention. For, literally, the rule of law:

The arrival of the new mug, nicknamed the “twother”, follows pressure from the pub trade to be allowed to serve smaller amounts of beer and cider, especially of stronger brands. The changes were announced in the Government’s response to a consultation by the National Measurements Office. Lord Drayson, Science and Innovation Minister, said: “There is no question of replacing the British pint, but introducing the option of a new imperial measure is good news for consumers, providing them with more choice."

Here in Canada we have unlimited glassware choice and, through the blessing of our constitutional division of powers, our law even imposes confusion. No so in the UK - but who knew it went that far? I had no idea that the size of food was so regulated over there. Heck, the story in The Times says that only now - after 750 years - loaves of bread have been allowed to be delisted... unstandardised... become ungovernable. Madness. Did they have to let 573 bowler hatted bureaucrats go? Or did they transfer them to the fish cake and yogurt weighing department?

But that name. I suppose calling it the "twother" is reasonable but don't we expect the people will provide the nicknames? I am sure there is cleverer plays on eight-twelfths than two-thirds. Why not call it "Mighty Mouse" if it's supposed to be small and strong. The nation needs to speak. Surely there isn't regulation of that in Britain under these NMO led reforms. More on the "why?" here but pdf warning all around