# What is it with American spades? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700 "2015-06-16T21:16:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/21 "2015-06-17T00:24:04Z")
The one with the handle is called a ‘trenching tool’. There’s an ‘entrenching tool’ but that’s one of those folding army things. If it doesn’t have a handle it’s a ‘garden spade’. The shape of the spade doesn’t really matter, you can find them with flat ends, pointy ends whatever. Usually the trenching tool spade is narrower. My father who was a deep gardener told me the only things he needed for the garden was a trenching tool and a hoe since both were so flexible in use. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/22 "2015-06-17T00:28:24Z")
One can spade with a spade One can shovel with a shovel One can spade with a shovel But shoveling with a spade is … ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/23 "2015-06-17T00:37:23Z")
Here’s [Neil on \*The Young Ones \*calling a spade a spade…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2vkO2kyPDE) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/24 "2015-06-17T00:37:57Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > This is a spade (the kind of thing you’d dig a grave with) as I know it (in the UK): > [UK spade](http://www.toolstop.co.uk/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/GL51.jpg) > Note the handy handle at the top, allowing your full weight to go down on the tool. > > These are spades as I see it in all US TV and films: > [Walking Dead](http://media.comicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/the-walking-dead-daryl-rick-dig-grave.jpg) > Note the lack of handy handle, leading to hard work and blisters when burying your close ones. > > Why? because you’re assuming TV shows are real. I’m American and if you asked me to describe a spade I’d say it’s pretty close to the UK one you linked. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/25 "2015-06-17T01:13:47Z")
All this talk of shovels brings back memories of _Ripping Yarns_ - [The Testing of Eric Olthwaite](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0686866/plotsummary) > [@](#): > > Eric: ‘You know Howard? Howard Molson? He’s got a new shovel. It’s a lovely shovel. It’s got a big brass handle, copper fittings and a nickel scoop. And do you know what he’s going to do? He’s gonna put it next to the other one.’ and > [@](#): > > ‘…an oak shaft, Spear and Jackson number three with reinforced brass handle.’ > ‘Nickle scoop?’ > ‘No, no. Steel scoop with copper-rimmed edging.’ ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/26 "2015-06-17T02:16:45Z")
Where I grew up, what you call a UK spade was known as an Irish spoon… ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/27 "2015-06-17T03:01:10Z")
Old, old army engineers’ joke: Put down that D-handle shovel, Private. You ain’t been trained on heavy equipment. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/28 "2015-06-17T03:03:15Z")
A long, straight handle is preferable to a short one with a with a handle like the OP shows. Long handled shovels or spades let the user maintain a straighter posture, reducing back fatigue. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/29 "2015-06-17T03:58:54Z")
I suspect the OP hasn’t actually ever had to dig anything serious if he thinks the “D” handle square shovel he calls a spade is somehow better than or a replacement for the long handle spade. They are tools for different purposes. The long handle is for leverage (like every long handle in existence), the pointy bit works much better for piercing undisturbed soil. Kick it in with your boot and pry up with the handle. That thing with the square blade and D handle is for shaping the sides and bottom of your hole and removing loosened material; its not really very useful actually making a hole in compacted earth. Doesn’t seem to be any consensus on one or the other or both is the true spade. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/30 "2015-06-17T04:16:42Z")
It’s complicated. As the pages here indicate, [AgricultureTools.com is for sale | HugeDomains](http://www.agriculturetools.com/sickles-shovels-shovel/shovels-and-spades.htm) you can get any handle you want on any shovel head, including the No. 19 shovel, commonly called a spade. In old time railway construction, a No. 2 shovel head, what most people would call a “shovel,” often came with a short D handle. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/31 "2015-06-17T05:09:52Z")
As someone who spends/has spent a good deal of time digging and working in holes This a [spade](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2724776010579243791?biw=1318&bih=772&q=spade&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=NPqAVbGdA4vvtQXi8IPICA.1434516025142.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX9PXKiTDsHuBKYeQEoVIu5jOM86jW_aqzRe3x_iJ67CR_g6wKnjc_76aK768-tib-aGMYmcXtYqV13Cn0DVtSdRbPJEoNTMv_PcNs_p66tXbwkQpchIZAFPVH71aI0D7h-oOUdaD9BPnBJc1eAAh0Q&ved=0CEwQpitqFQoTCLm4idb0lcYCFcURrAod710ADg&ei=RPqAVbmGCcWjsAXvu4Fw). It is what I use to cut the sod This is a [shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9462320317208709221?biw=1318&bih=772&q=shovel&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=DPuAVcO_EoPPsAX6j4LIAw.1434516251186.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXytQjjxLswf-55DKys9t5FIXx7-r1dheW2uFhJU9L7nvjFtkUXI6bdgkb1y3YiH0IbSNPhgE-FjPwApe4VED5vpCvBHfruS2OsJXi6uK34bGilKtphIZAFPVH717lls9dpmrnw1_EXd9tUioNwCCtg&ved=0CAwQpitqFQoTCLisx8z1lcYCFckBrAodQdsAaA&ei=PPuAVbieJsmDsAXBtoPABg). It is the preferred digging tool and usually used when I have sufficient space. This is a [short handled shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10096927332992831921?biw=1318&bih=772&q=shovel&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=DPuAVcO_EoPPsAX6j4LIAw.1434516251186.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX2Bio1SxsqT_NpjbGrYul3xL4AHuSawTiZu75cD6GDAleERYxtgrhcmuZ6oHH2hpmO3fJEqCjXe8iARSAPd5YxZ3EYu4EUILJ7kUM8msShO9M4GN3hIZAFPVH721VQM7euUjyGvyqZmdpjIh-Hh2Sg&ved=0CJIBEKYrahUKEwi4rMfM9ZXGAhXJAawKHUHbAGg&ei=PPuAVbieJsmDsAXBtoPABg) It is what I use in the trenches because it’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces. This is an [army shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11865878517635596716?q=army+shovel&biw=1318&bih=772&dpr=1.25&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXws6G2ILlUQJr8Nwe9xt2nR6vE_p0Uzr-deCwenO5x76mVvqaJ6hwy2aqTvtJou_1m6ugpbgkNnk5idjdeIEDer-4eLefUJ1Xgv6YxgP5YXX_JwSSBIZAFPVH70aAZFqZ9u3-KLScK-o9inUNr6SEA&ved=0CHAQpitqFQoTCKKXn_f4lcYCFYMUrAodyGkA6w&ei=u_6AVeLNG4OpsAXI04HYDg). I prefer the American Vietnam style ones. This is what I use in really tight quarters and fine detail work around underground lines. This is a [mattock](http://www.benmeadows.com/true-temper-union-cutter-mattock_s_161630/?searchterm=161630&ef_id=VIeGQwAABevW3dvG%3a20150617050405%3as&cid=BMPL10&gclid=Cj0KEQjwkv-rBRDwoMLav-2l9KIBEiQAUTkDU8ucD4wUskzBM8csMW3typhR-iaPSkX9IQX6Csaf3QMaAgqq8P8HAQ). and this is a [digging bar](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12217053030984557575?q=San+Angelo+Bar&biw=1318&bih=772&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=SQCBVecpg9SwBeuUpZgE.1434517582077.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX1xnEdBERD9VY7CXcMfG5CK7BryOTPxSE4eAyLQQwtFMn6JUZA1KmolnlAjm9UaYxFpTqzh5bjV5gehMXWY5-er4IETw0xXBcJdGIsrrJarUq2H6sRIZAFPVH73nIIuVcPW1-WT8J4SjS7vhczzGXQ&ved=0CAQQpitqFQoTCJKZvbf6lcYCFYMJrAodjHAA1w&ei=TgCBVZK6JIOTsAWM4YG4DQ) both are used on soil that in uncooperative. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/32 "2015-06-17T05:10:15Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > This is a spade (the kind of thing you’d dig a grave with) as I know it (in the UK): > [UK spade](http://www.toolstop.co.uk/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/GL51.jpg) > Note the handy handle at the top, allowing your full weight to go down on the tool. > > These are spades as I see it in all US TV and films: > [Walking Dead](http://media.comicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/the-walking-dead-daryl-rick-dig-grave.jpg) > Note the lack of handy handle, leading to hard work and blisters when burying your close ones. > > Why? The first thing to resolve is the naming convention: There ain’t no standard! This is one of those cases where people with various opinions will be quite willing to grab a rapier and demand satisfaction from each other while defending one definition or another, while an equal number of people people will be more than willing to engage with rather different definitions. Growing up in the '50s and '60s, (Southeast Michigan), I encountered the many descriptions/idenitifications, the two most popular being: Shovel: large, long handled, flat bladed device used to scoop snow, manure, sawdust, grain, etc. Spade: any tool intended to dig, (usually with a round or pointed blade, but allowing for narrow “garden spades” with flat blades). Shovel: any long handled digging or scooping implement. Spade: any short handled digging implement, typically, (but not exclusively), having a D shaped place for the hand at the end of the shorter handle. I suspect that this would be a good question to search out in the the [Atlas of North American English](http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-North-American-English-Phonetics/dp/3110167468/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434512798&sr=1-1&keywords=atlas+of+north+american+english) (or its Brit or Commonwealth equivalents). When I worked on a golf course, the boss referred to the long-handled digging tool as a round-point shovel, (to distinguish it from the flat devices we used to scrape left-over dirt and stones from the grass after digging). When I got a job on a landscape crew, the first time I referred to a round-point shovel, using the term with which I was most familiar, the crew boss snarled “It’s a digger shovel. Don’t try to show off.” As to putting D handles on long-handled shovels, I suspect that they would be a waste of time. The motions and holds used on a long-handled tool differ from those of a shorter handled tool and having that extra material bulging out at the end is liable to get in the way. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/33 "2015-06-17T07:30:31Z")
What’s that song about a short handled shovel? I think it had to do with prison work gangs. It’s bugging me. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/34 "2015-06-17T07:51:23Z")
> [@electronbee](#): > > …Also, good to have for a wheel barrel as it’s smaller and won’t slide around as much, good for mixing cement, too. Speaking of names, it’s a wheel _barrow_, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Bragg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Stealth\_Bragg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Bragg)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/35 "2015-06-17T08:49:23Z")
More importantly, what is it with the GROUND in your good ole US of A? In all the documentary movie films I’ve watched (Evil Dead, Walking Dead, etc) it seems like the protagonist just shovels dirt around like it’s small pieces of coal, nice and loose and dry. Every grave I’ve dug for the undead has been a nightmare of wet soil, lumps of clay and stones every shovel full. ---
**Author:** ![Didactylos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@Didactylos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didactylos)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/36 "2015-06-17T09:06:37Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > What’s that song about a short handled shovel? I think it had to do with prison work gangs. It’s bugging me. Big rock candy mountain: “There ain’t no short-handled shovels, No axes, saws nor picks, I’m bound to stay Where you sleep all day, Where they hung the jerk That invented work In the Big Rock Candy Mountains …” You might have heard it right at the start of “O Brother where art Thou?”, right after they escape from the chain gang. I figured the “short handled” was so they were less effective weapons in the hands of an unruly prisoner. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/37 "2015-06-17T11:23:15Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > As someone who spends/has spent a good deal of time digging and working in holes > > This a [spade](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2724776010579243791?biw=1318&bih=772&q=spade&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=NPqAVbGdA4vvtQXi8IPICA.1434516025142.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX9PXKiTDsHuBKYeQEoVIu5jOM86jW_aqzRe3x_iJ67CR_g6wKnjc_76aK768-tib-aGMYmcXtYqV13Cn0DVtSdRbPJEoNTMv_PcNs_p66tXbwkQpchIZAFPVH71aI0D7h-oOUdaD9BPnBJc1eAAh0Q&ved=0CEwQpitqFQoTCLm4idb0lcYCFcURrAod710ADg&ei=RPqAVbmGCcWjsAXvu4Fw). It is what I use to cut the sod > > This is a [shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/9462320317208709221?biw=1318&bih=772&q=shovel&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=DPuAVcO_EoPPsAX6j4LIAw.1434516251186.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXytQjjxLswf-55DKys9t5FIXx7-r1dheW2uFhJU9L7nvjFtkUXI6bdgkb1y3YiH0IbSNPhgE-FjPwApe4VED5vpCvBHfruS2OsJXi6uK34bGilKtphIZAFPVH717lls9dpmrnw1_EXd9tUioNwCCtg&ved=0CAwQpitqFQoTCLisx8z1lcYCFckBrAodQdsAaA&ei=PPuAVbieJsmDsAXBtoPABg). It is the preferred digging tool and usually used when I have sufficient space. > > This is a [short handled shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10096927332992831921?biw=1318&bih=772&q=shovel&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=DPuAVcO_EoPPsAX6j4LIAw.1434516251186.5&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX2Bio1SxsqT_NpjbGrYul3xL4AHuSawTiZu75cD6GDAleERYxtgrhcmuZ6oHH2hpmO3fJEqCjXe8iARSAPd5YxZ3EYu4EUILJ7kUM8msShO9M4GN3hIZAFPVH721VQM7euUjyGvyqZmdpjIh-Hh2Sg&ved=0CJIBEKYrahUKEwi4rMfM9ZXGAhXJAawKHUHbAGg&ei=PPuAVbieJsmDsAXBtoPABg) It is what I use in the trenches because it’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces. > > This is an [army shovel](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11865878517635596716?q=army+shovel&biw=1318&bih=772&dpr=1.25&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXws6G2ILlUQJr8Nwe9xt2nR6vE_p0Uzr-deCwenO5x76mVvqaJ6hwy2aqTvtJou_1m6ugpbgkNnk5idjdeIEDer-4eLefUJ1Xgv6YxgP5YXX_JwSSBIZAFPVH70aAZFqZ9u3-KLScK-o9inUNr6SEA&ved=0CHAQpitqFQoTCKKXn_f4lcYCFYMUrAodyGkA6w&ei=u_6AVeLNG4OpsAXI04HYDg). I prefer the American Vietnam style ones. This is what I use in really tight quarters and fine detail work around underground lines. > > This is a [mattock](http://www.benmeadows.com/true-temper-union-cutter-mattock_s_161630/?searchterm=161630&ef_id=VIeGQwAABevW3dvG%3a20150617050405%3as&cid=BMPL10&gclid=Cj0KEQjwkv-rBRDwoMLav-2l9KIBEiQAUTkDU8ucD4wUskzBM8csMW3typhR-iaPSkX9IQX6Csaf3QMaAgqq8P8HAQ). and this is a [digging bar](https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12217053030984557575?q=San+Angelo+Bar&biw=1318&bih=772&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.96041959,d.b2w&tch=1&ech=1&psi=SQCBVecpg9SwBeuUpZgE.1434517582077.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX1xnEdBERD9VY7CXcMfG5CK7BryOTPxSE4eAyLQQwtFMn6JUZA1KmolnlAjm9UaYxFpTqzh5bjV5gehMXWY5-er4IETw0xXBcJdGIsrrJarUq2H6sRIZAFPVH73nIIuVcPW1-WT8J4SjS7vhczzGXQ&ved=0CAQQpitqFQoTCJKZvbf6lcYCFYMJrAodjHAA1w&ei=TgCBVZK6JIOTsAWM4YG4DQ) both are used on soil that in uncooperative. These are the definitions I’m familar with from growing up in Iowa. In addition there are specalist versions: [The scoop shovel](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=scoop+shovel&tbm=isch&imgil=1UteHFpSZKy0qM%253A%253BFkoXk8Ll2CcaGM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fgardennaturally.wordpress.com%25252Fcategory%25252Fgarden-tools%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=1UteHFpSZKy0qM%253A%252CFkoXk8Ll2CcaGM%252C_&biw=1069&bih=725&usg= __AYShjHbC8ClxW_GwMjmUCQ4bn9A%3D&ved=0CC8QyjdqFQoTCLTkyujNlsYCFccj2wodkx0A0Q&ei=vVeBVfSRLMfH7AaTu4CIDQ#imgrc=1UteHFpSZKy0qM%253A%3BFkoXk8Ll2CcaGM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fgardennaturally.files.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F01%252Fweeder-scoop-shovel.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fgardennaturally.wordpress.com%252Fcategory%252Fgarden-tools%252F%3B265%3B265&usg=__ AYShjHbC8ClxW_GwMjmUCQ4bn9A%3D) and the [snow shovel](http://www.parrs.co.uk/facilities-maintenance-c8/ice-snow-flood-control-c433/shovels-scoops-pushers-c70/snow-shovels-spade-pp1601?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=snow-shovels-description-large-snow-shovel-blade-size-mm-550-x-345-description-large-snow-shovel-blade-size-mm-550-x-345-handle-ht-mm-1300-ese166&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=CLqxp7nOlsYCFWvHtAod1XkAkQ) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/38 "2015-06-17T12:01:53Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > All this talk of shovels brings back memories of _Ripping Yarns_ - [The Testing of Eric Olthwaite](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0686866/plotsummary) First thing I thought of. What are your views on rainfall and the colour of black pudding? Also: _Don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work. Oh don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work. Don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work Or you’ll end up where you came from like the rest of us Digging, digging, digging. Ow di liddle do._ ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/39 "2015-06-17T12:36:48Z")
The Army shovel mentioned above is sometimes called an entrenching tool. Looking at google results, the distinction seems to be that a spade is for digging, regardless of the handle length and a shovel is for scooping loose material. For that reason, the handle of a spade is in alignment with the metal part where a shovel will have an offset to allow the blade to be on the ground without scraping your knuckles. Snow shovels are an example of the more extreme offset. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700/40 "2015-06-17T13:32:06Z")
I’d call the WD example a shovel, not a spade. A spade is a hand held shovel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-american-spades/722700.md?page=3)