Flatware, silverware, cutlery — people use these words interchangeably, but they actually mean different things. And then there's holloware, which most people have never heard of at all. Here's a quick breakdown.
Flatware
In the mid-1800s, the word flatware referred to anything shallow and relatively flat used at the dining table — handheld utensils like forks, knives, spoons, tongs, and ladles, as well as tabletop items like plates, saucers, and open dishes. By the end of the century, the term narrowed to describe only handheld serving and eating utensils.
Note: Flatware can be contrasted with holloware — receptacles that hold food, like tureens, sugar bowls, and coffee pots. You'd set your table with both flatware and holloware before a meal.
Silverware
As the turn of the century arrived, people began using silverware in place of flatware — most likely because so many handheld utensils were made from silver. So technically: "silverware" refers to handheld utensils that are silver-based, while "flatware" refers to handheld utensils made from any material.
In modern times, most silverware is made from stainless steel, silverplate (over a base metal), or sterling silver — with sterling silver and silverplate considered the best options due to silver's natural antiseptic qualities.
At Laughing Frog Studio, we upcycle both into handcrafted silverplate jewelry and sterling silver jewelry.
Cutlery
Cutlery is actually a separate category altogether. It refers specifically to knives and cutting implements, originating from the old French word coutelier (modern French: couteau), meaning knife. So technically, flatware and silverware can include cutlery — but cutlery only refers to knives and cutting tools.
While all three words technically mean different things, they're used interchangeably today. Go ahead and use whichever term you like — chances are the person you're speaking with will know exactly what you mean.
Curious what we make from vintage silverware? At Laughing Frog Studio, we handcraft upcycled silverware into rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more — each piece made from authentic vintage flatware with its own history.
→ Shop Spoon Rings | All Silverware Jewelry
Want to keep reading?
- Silverplate vs. Sterling Silver — What's the Difference?
- Vintage Silverware Patterns: A Complete Guide to Identification, History & Jewelry Design
- History of Silverplating and Its Role in Democratizing Wealth
- Spoon Rings and Love Over the Ages — A Unique History
- How Spoon Rings Are Made — From Vintage Silverware to Wearable Art
