In cuisine, what is flatware?

Flatware consists of the spoons, forks, and other serving pieces we often use for eating meals. This list actually doesn't include knives, which technically fall into the category of "cutlery." A setting for each person seated at a table is made up of these pieces.

The term flatware can cover dining and serving tools made from many types of materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, acrylic, and items labeled as silver-plated. There are varying qualities of flatware available for purchase to cater to different needs and tastes in decor. Flatware is typically sold in a set that includes a knife, two forks, and two spoons, but you can also purchase serving utensils that match your flatware set.

In general, the spoons, forks, and other similar utensils you encounter in home dining rooms, school cafeterias, restaurants, and social events are likely part of the flatware family. Though many of us store them alongside forks in the utensil drawer, chopsticks are not typically categorized as "flatware."

The earliest known use of the term "flatware" can be traced back to the early 19th century. Before this time, eating utensils were simply referred to as "cutlery" or "plate."
It is believed that the term "flatware" was coined to differentiate between these smooth, flat utensils and other types of cutlery with sharp edges, such as knives and swords.