Talk:Rolling pin

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Expansion plans

"They are frequently employed in cartoons as an instrument for inflicting cranial injury."

Should this really be at the top of the article? I'd like to make this my first Wikipedia edit, and am working on an expansion of this page. I'd like to include more information on the different types of rolling pins (including French tapered, decorative, hardtack, grooved, pasta, and mini-pins), different uses (crushing nuts and crackers, flattening cuts of meat), and maybe even some historical information. There are accounts of Pennsylvania Dutch men giving rolling pins as courting gifts—I'm looking for a verifiable source. Glass rolling pins are also treated as collectibles by some. Perhaps the note about cartoon violence could be put with those notes?

Some guidance from those with more Wikipedia experience would be appreciated. Although there are some things that I regard as "established knowledge", such as the benefits of certain types of pins for certain tasks (marble and stone pins, which can be chilled, are better for more delicate doughs that become difficult to work with when warm), I'm not sure if notes to that effect would be considered in keeping with NPOV.

--PaperTruths 07:25, 22 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Can't help with the expansion, but created a proper In popular culture section. Femto 11:20, 22 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, that helps for now! In the expansion (argh, nervous), I'm thinking about turning the "In popular culture" section into a broader history/culture section, including information on the 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch use, development, etc. Do you think that would work? --PaperTruths 01:59, 23 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The popular culture section should be reserved for the stereotypes and how things are perceived. Try to keep that one as brief as possible (good luck, it's usually the section where everybody keeps adding their favorite cartoon references until someone gets fed up and moves them to a list article :) The 'real' historical uses deserve their own History section. Start with expanding the lead section, until there's enough content to split off Uses or Materials sections (or similar). You may want to take a look at Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles, but other than that, just start editing and see how it develops. Later rearrangements are easy enough. Femto 13:04, 23 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Peg Bracken's "I Hate to Cook Book", and the Fanny Farmer cookbook both have short chapters on which pins are used for what purposes. I'll dig them out of my library and add what I can about the various types, etc. and then cite the reference. Fix it if you find better information or sources. Resonanteye 07:50, 19 November 2006 (UTC) Done. But fanny farmer's index is odd, so I haven't found anything in there yet. Peg Bracken had a few meaningful things to say about rolling pins, but most of them were just too funny to be in an encyclopedia. I've condensed them into one short straight-faced sentence and added her as a reference in that section. I think it helps because it backs up the claim that it is a stereotype. Also I found a source for the materials, too bad it was Heloise. Resonanteye 08:12, 19 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ahh, finally a reference for this obscure kitchen "activity". I've always thought they should have included the rolling pin as a murder weapon in that Cluedo boardgame ;) Sjschen 17:36, 19 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]