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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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A standard NY joke has two "gentlemen" in a public restroom relieving themselves. After, one starts to leave with out washing-- the first gentleman states "I went to Harvard, and was taught to wash my hands after urinating" the second man replies "I went to City College--and learned not to piss on my hands!"
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I didn't have to go to college to learn to wash my hands.
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old hand
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old hand
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Sparteye and Bobyoungbalt
Is the Russian service you describe akin to the Silver Service used by catering professionals in the UK?
Does anyone in the US use the term cutlery instead of silverware?
cheer
the sunshine warrior
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Carpal Tunnel
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" Does anyone in the US use the term cutlery instead of silverware?"
Nobody uses silverware. It's too expensive and too likely to be stolen.
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Shanks, I am unfamiliar with the term "silver service" in the sense you indicate, but it strikes me that it is a term invented by the caterers to market Service a la Russe.
I think you will find that "cutlery" refers to knives, and - if a person does not speak of "silverware" regardless of the metallic composition of the item - "flatware" refers to non-silver eating utensils.
I think you might find some prior discussion of this from a couple of months ago, assuming you are better with the searches than I.
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
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Sparteye wrote :I think you will find that "cutlery" refers to knives
Yes, Sparteye is "spot on" cutlery is used for the kitchen knives, forks, etc. although the word is not in general circulation, so to speak. It is a phrase used mostly by professional cooks, chefs that ilk.
Silverware is in general use in NE US meaning the knives, forks, spoons that are used for any meal even if the "silverware" is stainless steel, pewter or even the plastic-ware you get with fast food or at picnics.
In the early decades of the 1900s brides often received sterling silver table service either in "place settings" or as single pieces such as cake knives, demitasse spoons, sugar shells, trays, sugar and cream servers ....on and on.
I think the practice changed when the price of sterling went through the roof in the late 1970s and stainless steel in handsome patterns became more popular and affordable.
There is actually a difference in the size of dinner knives, forks, spoons and luncheon size knives, forks, spoons. But I digress (Sorry) ...
When my children were young I had what we called "kitchen silverware" for everyday meals and the "real" (meaning the sterling or very good silver plate) silverware was pulled out, polished and used for special occasions and holidays.
"Ware" has seven entries in my SOED and one meaning is an article of merchandise so I'd guess silverware as a combined word has some interesting history.
wow
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addict
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addict
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Never missing an opportunity to post an old joke: I had heard that oysters were an aphrodisiac, so I ate a dozen; but the last four didn't work!  Rod PS. and "cutlery" is the term used in UK for all the knives, forks, spoons, etc. that are used to eat or serve meals.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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"that oysters were an aphrodisiac, so I ate a dozen; but the last four didn't work!"
Dear Rod: If the first eight did work, what are you complaining about?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Rod-- this is bordering on a YART--but it was a fun one-- all about the names of common household items-- alot were kitchen items-- cookers vs stoves-- closets vs wardrobes-- since you have traveled here (US) you might think of other common items that have different names-- but your new thread on rubbers (UK version vs US version) should be interesting--the same sort of idea-- but out of kitchen!--
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journeyman
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journeyman
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My dictionary says (regarding buffet) "a meal at which guests serve themselves from a buffet or table". I think that is what many of us expect a "buffet" at home or in a restaurant to be. I think this may be what you were talking about.
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