How many is a ‘handful’?

[BlackRoseRed]

If someone has requested ‘a handful’ of something, assuming they are talking figuratively as the thing in question can’t possibly fit in anyone’s hands, how many do you think they are expecting?

5ish

6 or so

5 ish

3/4

Depends on what the thing is.

A handful of apples - about 4 or 5ish.

A handful of peanuts - a whole fistful.

I’d say 5.

Exactly this.

For me it's a crappy adjective. I wouldn't have a clue. I'd rather you said bring me four or five etc .

I'm autistic and find these terms wishy washy

Depends what is is??

There kids? A handful

Popcorn? 20?

As you're using handful figuratively, for items that could not actually be held in the hand, eg people, I'd say about six or seven, definitely fewer than ten.

4-5ish, it depends a bit what they are.

I would say it also implies that they are flexible on how many you bring. Eg if only 3 or 4 fit in your car, they would not expect you to make another trip.

Just a little bit. 😁

Yes, obviously, if you are talking literally it would depend upon the size of the object and the size of the hands - pretty sure I can’t fit 4-5 apples in my hand! But I’m asking figuratively for something that can’t be held

Exactly. I’m autistic and I’ve no clue how many they are expecting. I’m tempted to go with zero and tell them I couldn’t fit any in my hand. 😉

Google suggests when used figuratively the amount is 5 or a small number fewer than 10 but more than 3

I don't think it's anything to do with being autistic, it really depends what it is.

It does really depend on what the thing is. Can be used to big up or downplay something that's happening or required a "handful" of times depending on whether it is positive or negative.

What's the specific example for your current question OP? Could advise better.

I think what it is actually matters. I’d normally take it to mean as many as I could carry if it’s not something that would actually fit in my hand (so 4-5 apple as a I could carry that across both hands/arms), probably 3 500ml bottles of water as that is all I could carry, likewise 3 puppies.

If it was, say, chairs where I can only carry one - I’d assume they meant “not loads but more than a couple”, so probably 5-6 to err on the side of too many. Handful of volunteers probably 4-5.

5 ish is probably the right number, but it does depend on what you’re talking about.

It's relative, it depends on what is being described.
"Only a handful of people in the UK..." - could be a hundred as it's a small fraction of billions. "Bring a handful of snacks" - maybe 5 or 6.
"A handful of peanuts" - as many as will fit in an average hand.

It's a bit of a minefield for someone who takes things literally.

Number of times a specific type of task should be completed in a day at work - so not something that be held at all, as you can’t hold a task

Five or six. Every hour or so.

I'd say 5. But I would be asking for clarification, really they should be more specific.

7

Three if it’s been a busy day and it isn’t essential, there hasn’t been an issue.
Six if it’s a quiet day.
4/5 times if there’s no specific problems in that area.

That’s if we’re talking checking the loos are tidy, or looking in on a colleague to see if they need anything from you.

With reference to the autism- I couldn’t be specific and measured about many things because for me it’s a gut feeling. I often cook by eye and instinct. I can’t tell you what specific measurement is needed. If pushed I’d potentially estimate wildly out because my brain isn’t particularly good at number.

So I’d feel ‘it’s been a while since I checked X’, rather than knowing I do it every hour.

Probably 4 or 5.

Are you able to tell us what the 'thing' is? Might make it easier to interpret.

How are you fetching a handful of something if it’s figuratively and something that can’t be held? I think an example of what you mean might help
just read your update about the task. I’d say 5 tasks