[Hellsgate] Medieval Word of the Day
Joe Simmons
esimmons001 at hot.rr.com
Fri Jan 13 16:38:50 PST 2012
I almost forgot the word of the day. Today's word is familiar to all of us,
but may surprise a few in its definition.
FORK - Generally used as a preparatory and lifting implement in the kitchens
and barnyards. The fork was completely disdained at table as foolish,
foppish and un-necessaey. The fork was not accepted as culinary cutlery and
a necessary part of the table/eating setting until the 17th century. Until
that time if there was a fork on the table it was used simply as a serving
utensil to move a food item to the diners plate and it remained with the
food item. Elaborate use of the fingers, a spoon and the dagger allowed the
diner the tactile pleasures of eating without the metallic intervention of
the fork.
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