gold standard
Excellence measure historically
The gold standard is a monetary system in which currency value is fixed to a specific amount of gold.
Countries largely abandoned it in the 20th century.
Figuratively, gold standard means the best or most reliable example against which others are measured: Randomized trials remain the gold standard in medical research.
Thirty-six-inch ruler
- touchstoneStandard for evaluation
- criterionStandard for judgment
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- litmus testSingle determining factor
reference point · baseline · gauge · barometer · metric · standard · measure · norm
yardstick
Thirty-six-inch ruler
- touchstoneStandard for evaluation
- criterionStandard for judgment
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
litmus test · reference point · baseline · gauge · barometer · metric · standard · measure · norm · paradigm
- Standards & Benchmarksbenchmark, yardstick, litmus test, acid test, touchstone
- top tierelite, premier, premium, prime, best
- superlativesexcellent, superb, best, outstanding, supreme
- Gilded Agerobber baron, robber barons, Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan
- assayinghallmarking, hallmarks, touchstone, scratch test, acid test
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
gold standardfiat currency
State-issued unbacked tender
fiat money · paper money · Bretton Woods system · bimetallism · quantitative easing
gold standardlowest common denominator
Smallest shared multiple below
bottom of the barrel · bare minimum · worst-case scenario · mediocrity · substandard
golden, goldfish, gold mine, gilded, gilding, goldsmith, goldfinch, goldbrick, gold rush