Category: Culture

Sakum – The Jewish Spork?

spock-sporkThe image above is cute and punny in it’s own way. And there is a connection to this article on Haaretz.com even though it’s a tenuous one. I’ll leave it to the hardcore Star Trek fans to figure it out.

It’s turns out there is no Hebrew word for spork but they do have a great word that sums up all cutlery. Here’s a snippet from Haaretz.com:

“That acronym is sakum, which stands for sakin, kaf umazleg, “knife, spoon and fork.” Like “spork,” it doesn’t make the distinction between different kinds of spoons, with kaf, a soup spoon, tablespoon or serving spoon – basically a big spoon – standing in for both itself and its little sibling, the kapit, or teaspoon.”

It’s a great article about this word of the day.

Read more at www.Haaretz.com

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Spoon Theory

spoon theoryNo, this isn’t exactly about cutlery but we believe it deserves our attention.

The spoon theory was introduced by Christine Miserandino in her essay The Spoon Theory, which is posted on her website But You Don’t Look Sick.

Christine created a disability metaphor that explains the reduced amount of energy available for activities of daily living and productive tasks that may result from disability or chronic illness. Spoons are an intangible unit of measurement used to track how much energy a person has throughout a given day. Each activity requires a given number of spoons, which will only be replaced as the person “recharges” through rest. A person who runs out of spoons has no choice but to rest until their spoons are replenished.

Spoons suddenly look important to you through this view on life with a chronic illness. Hopefully it will help people understand each other better.

Visit Butyoudontlooksick.com for more info

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A Poutine Fork, an Ice Cream Spoon and a Knife in 14 Karat Gold

poutine fork in goldIt’s Canada Day and what could be more of a Canadian food than poutine? And how about some ice cream with that poutine? And how about a poutine fork, an ice cream spoon and a knife in either stainless steel or 14 karat gold plate?

Anneke van Bommel‘s Silhouette Cutlery Series is based on disposable options found at roadside snack stands or other venues of convenience, and van Bommel trades the single-use nature for a more elevated approach. The gold makes it pricey but the design and case are wonderful.

Happy Canada Day!

Available at Made Design

 

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Oneida: From Free Love Utopia to the Well-Set Table by Ellen Wayland-Smith – Sex & Cutlery

Sex and CutleryWe have covered a lot of products by Oneida on this site. And we’ve always known there is a interesting backstory to one of the oldest and most famous flatware companies.

At the Guardian there is a great book review of Oneida: From Free Love Utopia to the Well-Set Table by Ellen Wayland-Smith. Here’s a snippet:

“Ellen Wayland-Smith is a descendant of members of the Oneida community, and in her book she details the travails of her ancestors. In the 1840s, Noyes and his followers set up the Oneida Reserve, buying land that had been confiscated from Native Americans, determined to be able to practise their communistic Christianity (in which claiming a single person as one’s own was seen as antithetical to the group’s wellbeing). By the 1940s, Oneida had become among the most prestigious brands of silverware and cutlery, and its owners were mortified that the public might find out about the company’s free love beginnings.”

Check out the book review at the Guardian or even better you can buy the book at the link below.

Oneida: From Free Love Utopia to the Well-Set Table

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