Editing Spork

'''Spork'''

A '''spork''' is a hybrid form of cutlery taking the form of a spoon-like shallow scoop with three or four fork-like tines. Spork-like utensils, such as the terrapin fork or ice cream fork, have been manufactured since the late 19th century; patents for spork-like designs date back to at least 1874, and the word "spork" was registered as a trademark in the US and the UK decades later. They are used by fast food restaurants, schools, prisons, the military, and backpackers.

==History==
The word "spork" combines "spoon" and "fork". It appeared in the 1909 supplement to the Century Dictionary, where it was described as a trade name and "a 'portmanteau-word' applied to a long, slender spoon having, at the end of the bowl, projections resembling the tines of a fork".

==Design==
The spork is a portmanteau word combining 'spoon' and 'fork'. The spork is typically a spoon-like shallow scoop with two to four fork tines. The spork is usually made of plastic, or less commonly of stainless steel, silver, or other materials.

==Uses==
Sporks are commonly used in situations where the user's dexterity or coordination may be impaired, such as in the military or in space travel. They are also popular in outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, where carrying weight is a concern.

==See also==
* [[List of eating utensils]]
* [[Fork]]
* [[Spoon]]
* [[Knife]]

[[Category:Cutlery]]
[[Category:Eating utensils]]
[[Category:Portmanteaus]]
[[Category:American inventions]]

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<gallery>
File:Sporks_-_20070804.jpg|A collection of sporks
File:Spork.jpg|A single spork
File:Ice_cream_fork,_Shreve_&_Company,_Iris_service,_silver,_1903-1917.jpg|Antique silver ice cream fork
File:Spork.png|Illustration of a spork
File:18-03-25-Küchenutensil-DSCF1431.jpg|Kitchen utensil resembling a spork
File:CodazziSugakiya1.jpg|Sugakiya spork
</gallery>