We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Why Did It Take So Long for the Fork to Become Popular?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 3,222
Share

Every day, possibly three times or more, you sit at a table with something that was once considered the work of the Devil. That supposedly satanic item is the fork, the simple four-tined utensil that now seems harmful only to the food on your plate. In the Middle Ages, however, the fork was shunned as an unholy instrument because it resembled the Devil's pitchfork. In fact, the word "fork" comes from the Latin word furca, which means pitchfork.

For hundreds of years, everyone from Alexander the Great to Queen Elizabeth I dined either with their hands, or maybe a knife and spoon. The fork, originally a two-pronged utensil, eventually made inroads here and there, such as among lovers of candied fruits in Italy. In fact, in the 15th century, Italy became one of the first nations to accept the fork as a common dining utensil.

The rest of Europe slowly followed, as did the addition of more tines to the fork. By the 18th century, the fork was common throughout Europe, but it took the American Revolution to eventually bring the fork to common use the United States.

Fun fork facts:

  • Archaeologists have uncovered fork-like items made from bone that date to 2,400 BC.

  • Sucket forks are utensils with a spoon on one end and a two- or three-pronged fork on the other.

  • Gainesville, Georgia, has an ordinance against eating fried chicken with a fork.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/why-did-it-take-so-long-for-the-fork-to-become-popular.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.