Gaugers

/ˈɡeɪdʒərz/ noun

Definition

People whose job is to measure or estimate the capacity, size, or volume of something, especially barrels, tanks, or quantities of liquid.

Etymology

From 'gauge' (Old North French 'gauche' meaning to measure or adjust), plus the agent suffix '-er.' Gaugers were official tax collectors who measured alcohol to assess duties.

Kelly Says

Medieval gaugers for wine and beer had serious power—they literally decided how much tax you owed by measuring your barrels, which is why there are so many historical conflicts between gaugers and merchants trying to cheat the measurement.

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