Who invented the Fork, and Who taught the English how to USE IT???

[FlyLie]

?????

Also, they seem to need a knife to assist in putting food on the fork???

My heritage is English, so you don't need to hold anything back..

[bassin_bug]

?????

Also, they seem to need a knife to assist in putting food on the fork???

My heritage is English, so you don't need to hold anything back..

I'm of English and Welsh heritage and entertain myself watching people using their eating utensils in every imaginable way. Fork tines up, fork tines down, switching utensils from hand to hand, utensils held between thumb & forefinger & supported by middle finger; or grab the handle and wrap ALL their fingers around it and use it like a shovel.

One of the earliest dinner forks is attributed to Constantinople in 400 A.D. It contained two tines and, I think it was originally named a "devil fork." It's also attributed to two Byzantines and has, over the years been made of everything imaginable. Two tines were not practical for eating peas so more tines were added.

In England the fork was slow to gain acceptance because it was considered a feminine utensil. The exception was the 'sucket' fork which was a fork used to eat food that would stain the fingers. My theory about using a knife to assist in putting food on a fork was because people first used two knives for eating because the fork had not yet been invented. They used one for cutting and placing food on the other to put it in their mouth and the tradition continued after the fork was invented. The spoon was used only when requested. Be sure and look at the spaghetti fork with the roller in the end of the handle. They now come in an electric version.

http://www.foodreference.com/html/ar...-fork-729.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork

Someone forgot to teach people that they shouldn't wrap all their fingers around the handle and use forks and spoons like a shovel. Aw, heck! Forget it. Just rip a drumstick off the turkey and get busy eating. lol

You can see a LONG list of different types of forks at the bottom of the Wikipedia page.

[FlyLie]

I'm of English and Welsh heritage and entertain myself watching people using their eating utensils in every imaginable way. Fork tines up, fork tines down, switching utensils from hand to hand, utensils held between thumb & forefinger & supported by middle finger; or grab the handle and wrap ALL their fingers around it and use it like a shovel.

One of the earliest dinner forks is attributed to Constantinople in 400 A.D. It contained two tines and, I think it was originally named a "devil fork." It's also attributed to two Byzantines and has, over the years been made of everything imaginable. Two tines were not practical for eating peas so more tines were added.

In England the fork was slow to gain acceptance because it was considered a feminine utensil. The exception was the 'sucket' fork which was a fork used to eat food that would stain the fingers. My theory about using a knife to assist in putting food on a fork was because people first used two knives for eating because the fork had not yet been invented. They used one for cutting and placing food on the other to put it in their mouth and the tradition continued after the fork was invented. The spoon was used only when requested. Be sure and look at the spaghetti fork with the roller in the end of the handle. They now come in an electric version.

http://www.foodreference.com/html/ar...-fork-729.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork

Someone forgot to teach people that they shouldn't wrap all their fingers around the handle and use forks and spoons like a shovel. Aw, heck! Forget it. Just rip a drumstick off the turkey and get busy eating. lol

You can see a LONG list of different types of forks at the bottom of the Wikipedia page.

Interesting, thanks.
Now I also noticed the English use their forks "turned upside down". Wonder how that came into play?

[kygorski]

Wrong Wrong Wrong!!! The fork[proper name forque],was first used in Poland. It was never an eating utensil,it was usually an expletive,I'd go into detail, but was warned against using suggestive language.It is now commonly used in texting, 4?

[bassin_bug]

Wrong Wrong Wrong!!! The fork[proper name forque],was first used in Poland. It was never an eating utensil,it was usually an expletive,I'd go into detail, but was warned against using suggestive language.It is now commonly used in texting, 4?

"NEVER an eating utensil?" Really? One of the earliest DINNER forks attributed to Constantinople can be seen in the Dumbarton Oaks collection in Washington, DC. The word "dinner" suggests that it was/is an eating utensil.

I gave the web address for my source of information. Before you call my information "wrong" you should have read the History of the Fork.

Food Reference even titled my source, "HISTORY OF THE FORK."

What was the forque used for in Poland if not for eating? Where did you get your information?

[FlyLie]

or grab the handle and wrap ALL their fingers around it and use it like a shovel.

.

Got a few in my clain who, with tines up, grab it with a 5 finger baseball grip and I'll guarnteree you they can finish a plate before a "hungry deacon" can bless the meal..

[DJD]

Often wondered why folks used a fork pointed down?? It would not work for me since I use mine as a shovel. I eat like a caveman! Fingers, big forks and big spoons!! Btw....i been known to use a big fat bill of a crankbait to scoop my yogurt with while on the water!!!

Never had much patience for the finer details of eating.
Still very interesting topic.

[MrSplitshot]

i been known to use a big fat bill of a crankbait to scoop my yogurt with while on the water!!!

So if you're setting the table for company, do you put the crankbait on the left of the salad fork or the right? I'd give the kids a DT4 with trebles removed, big fat uncle Johnny a DT16, and everyone else gets a DT10. That sounds about right. Gotta be proper. LMAO

[FlyLie]

So if you're setting the table for company, do you put the crankbait on the left of the salad fork or the right? I'd give the kids a DT4 with trebles removed, big fat uncle Johnny a DT16, and everyone else gets a DT10. That sounds about right. Gotta be proper. LMAO

OMG, pleased to say you are no relationship to my family...

[bassin_bug]

Btw....i been known to use a big fat bill of a crankbait to scoop my yogurt with while on the water!!!

That does make washing 'dishes' a lot easier. lol You must have been using a deep diving 10-inch Redfin. The bill is about 6 inches long and just right to scoop down to the bottom of a cup of yogurt. Gotta' get that last delicious bite.

[Tim_T]

So if you're setting the table for company, do you put the crankbait on the left of the salad fork or the right? I'd give the kids a DT4 with trebles removed, big fat uncle Johnny a DT16, and everyone else gets a DT10. That sounds about right. Gotta be proper. LMAO

When we have company for dinner the wife likes to get out the Strike King Series 6 XD's. We keep them in the china cabinet the rest of the time.

[bassin_bug]

When we have company for dinner the wife likes to get out the Strike King Series 6 XD's. We keep them in the china cabinet the rest of the time.

LOL Whose job is it to polish the silverware?