Flatware

Cutlery refers to any hand implement used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food in the Western world. It is more usually known as silverware or flatware in the United States, where cutlery can have the more specific meaning of knives and other cutting instruments. more...

This is probably the original meaning of the word. Since silverware suggests the presence of silver, the term tableware has come into use.

Principal meaning

The major items of cutlery in the Western world are the knife, fork and spoon. Traditionally, good quality cutlery was made from silver (hence the U.S. name), though steel was always used for more utilitarian knives, and pewter was used for some cheaper items, especially spoons. From the nineteenth century, Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) was used as a cheaper substitute; nowadays, most cutlery, including quality designs, is made from stainless steel. Plastic cutlery is made for disposable use, and is frequently used outdoors (camping, excursions, and BBQ's for instance), at fast-food or take-away outlets, or provided with airline meals.

Two forms of utensil combining the functionality of pairs of cutlery are the spork (spoon / fork) and knork (knife / fork).

Etymology

The word cutler derives from the Middle English word 'cuteler' and this in turn derives from from Old French 'coutelier' which comes from 'coutel'; meaning knife.

The ancient mayan indians used the word 'cotlar' to refer to the fork like utencils they used in dining.

History

Cutlery has been made in many places. In England, the industry became concentrated by the late 16th century in and around Birmingham and Sheffield. However, the Birmingham industry increasingly concentrated on swords, made by 'long cutlers' and on other edged tools, whereas the Sheffield industry concentrated on knives.

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