An older mining term for the share of mineral wealth owed to the proprietor of the land. Instead of a cash lease, miners paid this physical percentage of the crushed and washed ore. It was often measured using a standardized wooden or brass bowl, which gave the practice its name.
Heard on the job
We owe a fifteenth dish to the lord of the manor before we can sell the rest of the lead.
Insider tip
The physical measuring vessel itself was also called a dish, and standard dishes were kept chained in market towns to prevent fraud.