cutlery & crockery

Question

Hi,(1) Are the words cutlery and crockery common in today's AmEng?(2)  crockery = cups+dishes+plates??      orcrockery = dishes + plates (English speakers don't think of cups as crockery?)The following example is taken from a dictionary:Cups, crockery, cutlery and glasses can all be washed in hot soapy water in the usual way.mus-te

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I think this varies quite a lot from country to country, and maybe even from region to region.

I'm British, living in Canada.

In everyday English, I say 'cutlery', or 'knives and forks'. I include spoons in this meaning.

I don't say 'crockery'. I say 'dishes'. I include plates, cups and glasses in this meaning.

Let's see what Americans and other people say.

Clive

BarbaraPA · Answer

I use "cutlery" very rarely.
I use "dishes" in the say manner as Clive. I've never used "crockery."

Clive · Answer

Hi GG,

How ya doin'?

I think Americans say 'silverware', do they not? Instead of cutlery.

Clive

Enoon · Answer

(1) Are the words cutlery and crockery common in today's AmEng?

No, at least around here.

(2) crockery = cups+dishes+plates??

I guess. I think of crockery as any food-related receptacle that will shatter if I drop it, except glass stuff, which is glasses (for drinking out of) or glassware. Crockery has been fired in a kiln. Teacups and the like are crockery to me, but it's not a word I ever use except self-consciously. That goes for "cutlery", too. Knives and forks are cutlery. When you add spoons, you get silverware, which is usually stainless steel in reality. You hear that called flatware, but normally only by advertisers.

The things you eat off of at the table is the dishes. The magazines call it tableware.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Yes, we say "silverware" regardless of what it's made of. You even have "plastic silverware" for picnics.

Anonymous · Answer

In the US the word "cutlery" is frequently seen in catalogs, for example, but is almost never used in casual conversation or writing.  The word "crockery" is almost never used - I've never used it in speech or writing in my life.  This may have something to do with the fact that the word "crock" has negative connotations.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Thanks everybody for their very interesting comment!

cutlery & crockery

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions