Has "silverware" become one of those generic words for eating utensils?

[Patty O'Furniture]

I haven't heard anybody actually use the term "silverware" in as long as I can remember. Have I just not been getting out enough?

I hear people just refer to forks & knives and such. I can't think of an occasion where I would need to have collective term for forks, knives and spoons except possibly if I was shopping for sets of them, and in that case I'd say "flatware".

Then yesterday while munching on my salad at the market, I heard a young woman call out to her friend "can you bring some silverwear?" because she had sat down without getting herself a plastic fork. The term just sounded wrong to my ears. If I had been her, I would have just asked for a fork.

I wouldn't feel right about saying "silverwear" unless I was referring to the real silver-plated stuff that is reserved for weddings and such. Just like I wouldn't say "china" if I meant paper plate, or "crystal" if I meant stryfoam cup.

Do you say "silverwear"?

[Johnny L.A.]

No. I say 'utensils', or else 'flatwear'.

[Stauderhorse]

I always refer to it as silverware, even when I'm talking about plasticware.

[Athena]

I call it silverware. We're down to four forks, so it's been on my mind a lot lately.

[Furious_Marmot]

Maybe it's a regional thing. We used 'silverware' as a generic name, regardless of what it was made out of. That was in the Northeast US.

[Little Nemo]

NY checking in. I always call it silverware, even when it's made of plastic.

[Manda JO]

I call it "silverware, I mean flatware", because it seems to be programed into my mind as the generic term but my compulsive side kicks in as soon as I hear it and I correct myself.

SE US/Texas here.

[Ice Wolf]

I hear silverware now and then, but mainly the term used in my experience is cutlery.

[Terrifel]

It was always 'silverware' with my family, even though there was no actual silver present except at Thanksgiving.

In fairness, it's not really all that flat either is it? And only one of the conventional implements is specifically designed for cutting, so what sense does 'cutlery' make as a general term?

Maybe there is no correct term. And yet there it is, in the drawer. What is it? WHAT IS IT?

[Audrey Levins]

"Silverware" means "eating utensils," even if they're plastic. At least as far as I'm concerned. Kinda like "Band-Aids" means "adhesive bandage," even if it's made by somebody besides the Band-Aid company. "Thermos" means "insulated beverage holder" even if the Thermos company didn't make it. "Kleenex" means "disposable handkerchief" even if Kleenex didn't manufacture it. If I sneeze I don't say, "Does anybody have any facial tissue?"

I say, "Does anybody have a Kleenex?"

By the same token, if I'm getting take-out and they say, "Do you need silverware?" I say "Yes please!" not, "No, but I would like some plastic eating utensils please!"

*shrug*

It's one of those words that has become generic. So yes, re: the OP, it's a generic term for eating utensils. At least in my neck of the woods.

[Johnny L.A.]

I reserve 'cutlery' for kitchen knives (i.e., not table knives or pocket knives).

[Harmonious Discord]

Yes it has. It doesn't matter that some people don't do it, enough do that it is a common meaning.

[Ice Wolf]

Originally Posted by Johnny L.A.

I reserve 'cutlery' for kitchen knives (i.e., not table knives or pocket knives).

I see, according to Wiki, that most in America do just see knives as cutlery. The etymology backs that up. Elsewhere, though, the word encompasses forks and spoons as well.

There's mention of "flatware" as well. I've only ever seen it in American publications, and at that in old ones.

[MissMossie]

I call flatware that is silver in color (but may actually be made of stainless steel or something like that) "silverware". If it's actually made of silver, it's referred to as "the good silver". If it's plastic, then it's just a "plastic fork" or whatnot and "plastic utensils" if I'm talking about a set of plastic flatware.

[Scarlett67]

Originally Posted by Audrey Levins

"Silverware" means "eating utensils," even if they're plastic. At least as far as I'm concerned. Kinda like "Band-Aids" means "adhesive bandage," even if it's made by somebody besides the Band-Aid company. "Thermos" means "insulated beverage holder" even if the Thermos company didn't make it. "Kleenex" means "disposable handkerchief" even if Kleenex didn't manufacture it.

The difference, of course, being that Silverware^TM was never a trademarked brand name for a specific company's line of eating utensils.

[Quartz]

My parents have silver forks and spoons, so 'silverware' refers to those. They also have steel ones. 'Knives and forks' refers to utensils that are knives and forks, regardless of the metal.

[Khadaji]

Silverware was a generic term for as long as I can remember. I'm 46.

[Silver Tyger]

It's silverware no matter what it's made of.

[Student Driver]

Midwesterner here. Silverware is the most common term locally for a mixed collection of eating utensils, no matter the material of which they're made. The term "flatware" is generally understood (though I can think of a few coworkers that wouldn't know the term), but rarely used.

Does the term "flatware" come from utensils that have been stamped from a flat sheet? It seems just as inappropriate for my current utensils (they have molded handles) as does silverware, since they're steel, so I just go with the more generally used term.

[dangermom]

It's all silverware--that's what you eat with. The actual knives and forks made out of silver are called "the silver," if you happen to own any which I don't.

[Thudlow Boink]

Originally Posted by MissMossie

I call flatware that is silver in color (but may actually be made of stainless steel or something like that) "silverware". If it's actually made of silver, it's referred to as "the good silver". If it's plastic, then it's just a "plastic fork" or whatnot and "plastic utensils" if I'm talking about a set of plastic flatware.

Ditto, except that the phrase "plastic silverware" may well have crossed my lips at times.

[Equipoise]

Also a midwesterner, and it's silverware for me, whether it's plastic or steel. I don't think I've ever even uttered the words "flatware" and I've only said "cutlery" a handful of times, and I can't remember the context. It (cutlery) sounds like the kind of word I'd use in an ironic or snarky context, because, real, usable word or not, it's very hoity toity-sounding. Now that I think about it though, silverware is much more hoity toity-sounding, especially if it's used to refer to plastic.

[pendgwen]

My family always called it silverware no matter what it was made of. Unless we're actually using "the silver". I've never heard flatware used in conversation, only seen it in catalogues and such.

[Zsofia]

Yes, I and everybody else i know uses "silverware" for "knives, forks, and spoons." I mean, if you sat at a restaurant table that didn't have any on it, would you honestly ask for "flatware"? Or "Could we get some, uh, knives and forks and stuff, wrapped up in a napkin?"

We say "the silver" for the actual silver. If I said "cutlery", which I probably wouldn't, I'd mean knives, mostly cooking knives but not excluding steak and table knives.

[Fish]

We could call them "flatware of mass destruction." It makes sense.

You go into somebody else's house and you never know where they keep it.

[Fretful Porpentine]

I don't think I've ever said "flatware" or "cutlery" in my life. "Utensils," maybe. But mostly just "silverware."

That said, "plastic silverware" does sound ridiculous; I'm not sure I've ever called the plastic version anything other than "plastic forks and stuff." "Plastic utensils," possibly.

[eleanorigby]

Originally Posted by Zsofia

Yes, I and everybody else i know uses "silverware" for "knives, forks, and spoons." I mean, if you sat at a restaurant table that didn't have any on it, would you honestly ask for "flatware"? Or "Could we get some, uh, knives and forks and stuff, wrapped up in a napkin?"

We say "the silver" for the actual silver. If I said "cutlery", which I probably wouldn't, I'd mean knives, mostly cooking knives but not excluding steak and table knives.

I agree. The only time I used the term flatware was when I registered for our wedding--to differentiate it from sterling silver. Like most of the posters here, we call it silverware, but The Silver is used on festive occasions only.

[levdrakon]

I'd almost always say "silverware" but at a picnic with plastic stuff I'd probably ask about the forks & spoons, or utensils, "something to eat with" etc.

[Fish]

There's silverware, and there's the Good Silverware. I will sometimes call it flatware, but infrequently.

Plastic forks and spoons, of course, are plasticware.

[mrsspooky]

Never used or heard 'silverware' been used here. Although I'm sure that a few people are bound to use it. Everyone I know calls it cutlery or names the item individually. I have metal and plastic at home. I use the plastic ones when I cant be bothered to clean it afterwards or when I dont have any clean metal ones left - Im a student! These things are expected of me!

[Yllaria]

Silverware is generic for me, but now that you've brought the question up, I don't know if I'd use it for plastic implements or not. I'll have to watch myself and my family.

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

Originally Posted by Silver Tyger Girl

It's silverware no matter what it's made of.

Otherwise some people would be calling you "Flat Tyger Girl."

[Mangetout]

Cutlery here in the UK. Silverware would probably mean best cutlery to most people (or maybe it would mean some other metal items such as candlesticks and trophies, etc). 'Flatware' would just not be understood, I think - people might guess it to mean place mats or coasters or something.

[elfkin477]

I tend to think of the silver in silverware to be a description of its color, not what it's made of. So all silver-colored forks, knives and spoons are "silverware" while things made of plastic are not. I'm torn about silver-colored plastic.

[Green Bean]

"Silverware" is certainly a generally accepted term for those items, IMHO.

For some reason, though, I'm more prone to say "flatware" or "utensils." I guess I'm just pedantic. But like others in this thread, the actual silver silverware is called "the silver."

[kittenblue]

Silverware is the term we use for all eating utensils of any material.

A question for mrsspooky where is the "here" you refer to? No location in your top right corner, and since we were trying to decide it it's a regionalism.......

[foolsguinea]

Missourian with Ohio roots. It's called "silverware" even if it's really stainless steel.

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

NY checking in. I always call it silverware, even when it's made of plastic.

Same here. "Cutlery" would be used to refer to sharp knives only, and I don't think I've ever used the word "flatware."

[Sage Rat]

Never heard of such a word as flatware.

Grew up in California and 'silverware' is definitely generic.

[Eliahna]

Australian checking in.

Always cutlery, never silverware. I'd never use the word "cutlery" to describe cooking knives, as I think of cutlery as general eating utensils rather than specifically cutting utensils (yes, despite the obvious connection to "cutting" in the word, when I hear it I think of a spoon, not a kitchen knife).

I have no concept of the word being "hoity toity" because I consider it a commonly used, everyday word. I wouldn't think twice about being asked to lay out the cutlery and crockery.

[StGermain]

I use "silverware" for metallic flatware and "flatware" for the plastic stuff. My mother has five sets of sterling flatware and one set of plated daily silverware. Generally we call it the sterling and differentiate with the pattern name. "The silver" (as in "please polish the silver") is the silver serving pieces.

In Tennessee now, grew up in Michigan. I have one set of stainless. It's just silverware.

StG

[Patty O'Furniture]

So it's official: I don't get out enough.

It could also be that I tend to use chopsticks most of the time and if I need a supplimental utensil, I'll ask for it by name.

[amarinth]

Another "silverware" no matter what it's made of.

I might use "plastic utensils" if I'm trying to make a point, but if I just want someone to point out where I can find it, even those are "silverware." I'd only use "flatware" if I was in a bridal department and searching for a gift for someone I kind of know. "Cutlery" is cooking knives.

[Cunctator]

Originally Posted by Cazzle

Australian checking in.

Always cutlery, never silverware. I'd never use the word "cutlery" to describe cooking knives, as I think of cutlery as general eating utensils rather than specifically cutting utensils (yes, despite the obvious connection to "cutting" in the word, when I hear it I think of a spoon, not a kitchen knife).

I have no concept of the word being "hoity toity" because I consider it a commonly used, everyday word. I wouldn't think twice about being asked to lay out the cutlery and crockery.

I agree with all of this.

Cutlery = eating utensils in general

Silverware = I don't know what, except perhaps a sterling silver cutlery service.

[JThunder]

Personally, I use leadware.

[GuanoLad]

I say "cutlery".

"Silverware" just sounds American to me.

I thought "flatware" referred to the plates and dishes and stuff - you know, the flat stuff. I guess I was mistaken.

I also don't care.

[Alma]

I've always heard and used "silverware" in various parts of the midwest. Occasionally "flatware," but "cutlery" is usually said to mean knives and such.

And I just learned that there is such a thing as hollowware. Makes so much sense now...

[Hedda Rosa]

Northern California checking in here. Silverware for anything casual, from plastic to the stuff we use for every day. Actual silver would be called "the Silver". If asking at a resturant I'd ask for silverwear or utensils. I'd know what someone meant by cutlery or flatware but I wouldn't use those terms myself.

[flickster]

Another vote for silverware - it's been that no matter where we were living - Southeast, Midwest, South, etc.

And while we are on the subject of silverware.....

WTF is up with the forks you get in restaurants these days? I've never seen such a misshapen mess. Either tines going n all sorts of directions or flattened out and useless. Is it from owners buying cheap crap? If so, why? if they spend a few cents more does it walk out the door? They'll give you a steak knife the size of a machete but a decent fork....dream on

[cherry]

Toronto raised here, I use the term cutlery but most don't know what I mean when I say that. Husband, California raised uses silverware which gets better results. If english isn't their first language usually fork, knife gets the desired results.