You learn something new every day!
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
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 2025.17 people like this
19 responses
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
13 Sep
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.
5 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
13 Sep
Like @snowy22315 we refer to it as silverware.
5 people like this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep
Neither did I. And the Oxford English Dictionary (and others) defines cutlery as 'knives, forks and spoons for use at table' so now I'm confused. If I was a 'proper Brit' I would now have a cup of tea to calm my nerves. Maybe you can have one on my behalf 
2 people like this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
13 Sep
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? 3 people like this
@annierose (21977)
• United States
14 Sep
@Fleura Haha, that’s hilarious! If even the experts and Wikipedia can’t agree, then I don’t feel so bad for getting it “wrong.”
If even the experts and Wikipedia can’t agree, then I don’t feel so bad for getting it “wrong.”2 people like this
@mayka123 (17083)
• India
14 Sep
I didn’t know that at all. I have always thought of cutlery as the whole set of knives, forks and spoons. Interesting that technically it only refers to knives and that forks and spoons are classed as flatware. It is funny how language evolves and how we get so used to saying something one way that it feels natural. Thanks for sharing, I definitely learnt something new today.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
13 Sep
I am with the Wikipedia definition of cutlery
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
13 Sep
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".)
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Sep
We always said silverware here. Never knew there was a separate term for knives
3 people like this
@Traceyjayne (11252)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep
I would say it depends on where this person comes from .
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
14 Sep
I have always used the term "silverware" for knives, forks and spoons. I didn't know cutlery was just knives and that flatware was spoons and forks.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
15 Sep
@Fleura I will continue to call it all silverware.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Sep
That is a new revelation for me, I did not know this,
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122070)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Sep
I have learned new things on this post.
2 people like this
