Yesterday, I was out to lunch at the Pancake House and my fork only had three tines (prongs). It got me to thinking about why some forks have three tines and some have four tines. Then I started thinking about the word “tine”. I use this word frequently in different word games and knew it was related to the fork prongs, but what exactly is a tine? So, where do you go for answers – the Googles!
The word “tine” is interchangeable with the word “prong” and can be a blunt such as with forks, sharp like a pitchfork, or the “teeth” of a comb can be a tine. So, how about that.
Now back to my question on the three tine vs. four tine fork? Here is an article I found that provides a little history of the fork and tines: https://www.cookist.com/here-s-why-the-forks-have-four-tines/. Thank you to the author for doing the work for me. Three tine forks are mainly used when eating fish.
So, back to my Pancake House visit. Three tine fork? Are they cheaper? Should pancakes be eaten with three tines? Do their pancakes have fish in them? (Just Kidding). My cutlery etiquette would be out of whack if that is the case. Fortunately I had a BLTA and fries – so no tines were needed in the commencement of my meal – however I would have to give the Pancake House a forkin’ 1 star!
What the Fork?! 