When referring to knives, forks and spoons, what terms do you use most often?

(reply to ausfox) posted 5-Sep-2007 12:56am

You know, I completely forgot about that one.

Biggles

posted 5-Sep-2007 1:53am

Cutlery.

I'm from Sheffield - we know a thing or two about cutlery.

they

posted 5-Sep-2007 8:42am

Silverware

RainingFeathers

posted 5-Sep-2007 9:45am

I either use their individual names or call it cutlery. I've never said any of the four listed.

posted 5-Sep-2007 10:35am

Mostly 'silverware', it naturally rolls of the tongue and through the lips before I can really think aobut it. Sometimes I am able to control myself and refer to them as they truly are... "eating utensils".

(reply to darkshadowsseeker) posted 5-Sep-2007 10:37am

minus a cookie for forgetting 'cutlery' so far...that does not roll off the tongue as easily.

Galomorro

posted 5-Sep-2007 11:08am

Each by actual name but I call it flatware to myself.

posted 5-Sep-2007 11:32am

Silverware. I don't think I've ever used any of the others. Maybe I say cutlery on occasion, too, although I don't know if that really includes forks and spoons.

moviesnob

posted 5-Sep-2007 11:55am

Silverware

EyesOfCharisma

posted 5-Sep-2007 12:06pm

I refer to each by it's actual name.... fork, knife, spoon.... Dressing up common words irritates me..

paulyw

posted 5-Sep-2007 12:54pm

I normally use the actual name, but sometimes I use silverware, and if it is plastic utensils (Plastic Spoons, forks, and knives) I call it plasticware

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 5-Sep-2007 2:18pm

You have cookies & you didn't tell me?

Melf

posted 5-Sep-2007 2:56pm

Cutlery.

ihatespiders

posted 5-Sep-2007 3:11pm

Depends, I have both silverware and flatware. I dont use the silverware very often.Its been in my family a long time.

(reply to darkshadowsseeker) posted 5-Sep-2007 4:24pm

ate 'em....without the use of fork and spoon thank you very much...

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 5-Sep-2007 4:25pm

> Silverware. I don't think I've ever used any of
> the others. Maybe I say cutlery on occasion, too,
> although I don't know if that really includes
> forks and spoons.

That would be called "Sporks"

Iseult

posted 5-Sep-2007 4:49pm

Cutlery.

I only use silverware for stuff that is actually silver. I am not very familiar with terms tableware and flatware.

Crayons

posted 5-Sep-2007 5:37pm

I feel like I'm bad at talking, like i stumble with words a lot, though maybe just because I only notice my own mistakes.. well a word like Silverware would be avoided because it's easy to mess up, so something like fork is a lot easier.

gambler

posted 5-Sep-2007 5:44pm

Other "Cutlery"

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 5-Sep-2007 5:47pm

I didn't realize spork could be a collective term. I thought it was limited to a specific type of hybrid flatware indigenous to elementary-school cafeterias.

I have, however, added spork to the SC dictionary.

kirst

posted 5-Sep-2007 5:53pm

Cutlery.

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 5-Sep-2007 7:46pm

I throw them away when they end up in my kitchen. Dictionary is the best place for them.

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 5-Sep-2007 7:48pm

> I didn't realize spork could be a collective term.
> I thought it was limited to a specific type of
> hybrid flatware indigenous to elementary-school
> cafeterias.

Oh...why they hell not, eh!?

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 5-Sep-2007 9:16pm

You get spork infestations in your kitchen?! Eeek!

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 6-Sep-2007 12:29am

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 6-Sep-2007 10:27am

Yes! I thought I was perfectly clear when I held one up proclaiming "Didest thou not sayeth thee are not welcome here thouest spawn of satan, I cast you and the demons from my humble home so thatest thou are not welcome heretowith!" And with a mighty toss into the trash can...I don't know, they keep showing up in the silverware drawer.

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 6-Sep-2007 11:34am

I hear they're as prolific as wire coat-hangers at reproducing.

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 6-Sep-2007 3:25pm

yyyeeeeaaaahhhhh......... how the fudge does that happen?

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 6-Sep-2007 4:07pm

Rabbit DNA, I think.

(reply to Enheduanna) posted 6-Sep-2007 4:12pm

fudging rabbits....
AND NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!

(reply to cloudhugger) posted 6-Sep-2007 11:47pm

Yes, Mommie dearest!

Zang

posted 8-Sep-2007 5:19pm

Uhh...cutlery.

Zang

posted 8-Sep-2007 5:27pm

"Silverware" only refers to the kind that is made out of silver. I don't own any. My mother uses it for holiday dinners.
"Eating utensils" sounds a bit silly. The meaning is obvious, but it just seems a bit wordy. I didn't know people actually said that.
"Flatware" is a word that I have heard before, but I'm not sure I even knew what it meant exactly until now. It does sound like something you would have around the house. I guess it must be an American thing.
"Tableware" is another word that I've heard before. Probably another American thing. I would have thought it included anything that you would put on a table; the dishes, candlesticks, place mats...

Zang

(reply to darkshadowsseeker) posted 8-Sep-2007 5:34pm

When I read the question, the first thing that popped into my head was "What do you call the plastic doohickey that holds that stuff in the kitchen drawer?" "A cutlery tray!"

...actually, I'd call it the "cutlery drawer" too!

So what do you call the plastic doohickey and the drawer that holds it?

(reply to Zang) posted 8-Sep-2007 7:47pm

Silverware tray.

Zang

(reply to darkshadowsseeker) posted 8-Sep-2007 7:58pm

No no no no no. Silverware is kept in a special box in the china cabinet. It's all satin and mahogany. You don't put silverware in one of those plastic things!

(reply to Zang) posted 8-Sep-2007 8:05pm

What you call cutlery, I call silverware. Granted, it's made of steel, but that's what I was raised to call it. In fact, everyone in my family calls it silverware. BTW-my silverware tray is made of metal with an white enamel coating & is extra deep since I have so much silverware.

Zang

(reply to darkshadowsseeker) posted 8-Sep-2007 8:33pm

That's just so wrong!