FLAKE CUT: Tobacco packaged as large, flat flakes. Must be rubbed out to separate the flakes.
RIBBON CUT: Tobacco cut into long, thin ribbons, though not as long or as fine as SHAG.
CUBE CUT: Tobacco chopped into small square pieces.
SHAG: Tobacco which has been shredded very finely. Renowned as the type of preference for Sherlock Holmes; at that time, shag was considered an inferior grade.
RUBBING OUT: Separating tobacco pieces prior to smoking, by rubbing in the palm of the hand. Must be done with FLAKE or PLUG cut tobaccos.