You learn something new every day!
By Fleur
@Fleura (32551)
United Kingdom
September 13, 2025 6:22am CST
Yes, even at my advanced age 
British people always use the collective name of ‘cutlery’ for knives, forks and spoons – eating utensils in general – while Americans use the term ‘flatware’.
Naturally I was under the impression that we were right and they were wrong
Well today I found out that we are all wrong. According to a listener who contacted the radio programme ‘The Kitchen Cabinet’ (all about food and cooking), ‘cutlery’ refers to knives alone, while spoons and forks are ‘flatware’. The person in question was a professional cutler, so he should know.
Did you know this or have you just learnt something new as well?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.
British people always use the collective name of ‘cutlery’ for knives, forks and spoons – eating utensils in general – while Americans use the term ‘flatware’.
Naturally I was under the impression that we were right and they were wrong
Well today I found out that we are all wrong. According to a listener who contacted the radio programme ‘The Kitchen Cabinet’ (all about food and cooking), ‘cutlery’ refers to knives alone, while spoons and forks are ‘flatware’. The person in question was a professional cutler, so he should know.
Did you know this or have you just learnt something new as well?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.9 people like this
10 responses
@snowy22315 (195917)
• United States
8h
Many Americans or at least the ones in my family used the generic tern silverware for anything in a place setting. Knives to prepare food were knives and those in the place setting were referred to technically as butter knives although they rarely cut butter. Stores here do generally call it flatware though.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (53393)
• United States
6h
Like @snowy22315 we refer to it as silverware.
3 people like this
@annierose (21623)
• Philippines
8h
Haha, wow, I had no idea! All this time I thought cutlery meant the whole set—knives, forks, and spoons. Turns out we’ve all been “wrong” together, lol. I love how language surprises us like this. Thanks for sharing, I definitely learned something new today! 
So… should we start correcting people now or just let it slide? 
So… should we start correcting people now or just let it slide? 2 people like this
@Fleura (32551)
• United Kingdom
2h
A person who makes knives
Also a surname, like Ivor Cutler
Also a surname, like Ivor CutlerYour browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
@DaddyEvil (159480)
• United States
3h
I've always called spoons, forks and table knives "flatware" or "silverware". Of course, I've heard the term "cutlery" for the same pieces on a dinner table. Knives are "knives" as in don't cut yourself on the knives when you go into the silverware drawer as both types are kept in that drawer in most homes unless they have a knife block standing on a counter somewhere. (Mom always called spoons, forks and table knives "silverware". The Home Ec. teacher when I was in school called spoons, forks and table knives "flatware".)
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (122234)
• Marion, Ohio
6h
We always said silverware here. Never knew there was a separate term for knives
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (88877)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
Just now
That is a new revelation for me, I did not know this,
