but "gobbles" as a quantitative measure is yet another shear Ikegamism!

If you're going to complain about another's English usage, at least take the time to use it correctly yourself.

shear

1. To cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears.
2. To remove the fleece from a sheep etc by clipping
3. (physics) To deform because of shearing forces

Perhaps you meant sheer. (2. Pure; unmixed; being only what it seems to be.)