Spork

This article is about the utensil. For the film, see Spork (film).

Four types of sporks

A spork is a form of cutlery and combination utensil taking the form of a spoon-like scoop with two to four fork-like tines.[1] Spork-like utensils, such as the terrapin fork or ice cream fork,[2] have been manufactured since the late 19th century;[3] patents for spork-like designs date back to at least 1874. Sporks are commonly used by fast food restaurants, schools, prisons, militaries, backpackers, and airlines.[3]

The word spork is a portmanteau of spoon and fork. It appeared in the 1909 supplement to the Century Dictionary, where it was described as a trade name and "a 'portmanteau-word' applied to a long, slender spoon having, at the end of the bowl, projections resembling the tines of a fork".[4] The word "spork" was later registered as a trademark in the US and the UK.

A utensil with a fork on one side and a spoon on one side is also known as a spork.

  1. ^ Shepard, Helen-Marie (27 May 2002). "The splendid spork a marvel to behold". The Register Guard. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
  2. ^ Petroski, Henry (1992). The Evolution of Useful Things. Knopf. p. 135. ISBN 0-679-41226-3.
  3. ^ a b "Terrapin Forks (1890 - 1900)". Prices 4 Antiques.
  4. ^ "The Century dictionary and cyclopedia; a work of universal reference in all departments of knowledge with a new atlas of the world". archive.org. Retrieved 2017-05-19.