I just wanted to tell you how much I love your website! You rock.
David:
March 4th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Excellent! Excellent! They dined upon mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon.
charlie Philips:
October 20th, 2017 at 2:20 am
I thought I’d mention that there is a furthar belief of Edward Leah’s naming of the Runcible spoon, it was in fact a large ladle type spoon with holes and the word runcible was derived from Run simple the fact that liquid simply ranm away from the solid when scooped up. However, the nonsense that came out of Leah, suggests that it was purely invented and had no bearing on anything. The run simple theory has been passed down within my family for 70 odd years and I’ve not heard a better explanation in all that time.
Do with it as you will, but if you ever come up with something definnitive, please keep me informed.
skramer:
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:25 pm
always thought spork referred to the foldable, combination utensil packed with camping gear to save space and weight. Combining a fork and spoon for dinners at a campfire. If it had a sharpened edge, as defined here, you would be in danger of slicing open your lip if you attempted to eat with it! Found your definition while checking out an answer to a crossword puzzle clue. Just wonder why you would need a sharpened edge to spear a pickle?
Simon Phillips:
December 2nd, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Edward Lear was, quite simply, nuts. If you are Posh and Nuts, you are an eccentric. However, the word “runcible” is rounded, smooth, flow to it that it is appealling when spoken. This is infinitely preferable to the word ‘spork’ which, to be honest, sounds like a bowlderised expletive!
Aunty Sparrow:
December 14th, 2020 at 10:39 am
A very late comment… thank you for such interesting information. I have always believed that a Runcible spoon was one that had the spoon part at right angles to the handle. They were made for small children, and sometimes had a handle looped back underneath to make it easier to hold. They were often given as Christening gifts, and plated with silver… accompanied by another little eating tool, called a Pusher.
Vozgarr'ch:
May 6th, 2021 at 2:05 pm
I’m pretty sure the word runcible is just a fancy word for fancy. Considering it is most likely completely made up and is used somewhat ambiguously, this seems like the most logical definition.
Leave a comment
Search us!
Search The Word Detective and our family of websites:
This is the easiest way to find a column on a particular word or phrase.
To search for a specific phrase, put it between quotation marks. (note: JavaScript must be turned on in your browser to view results.)
Ask a Question!
Puzzled by Posh?
Confounded by Cattycorner?
Baffled by Balderdash?
Flummoxed by Flabbergast?
Perplexed by Pandemonium?
Nonplussed by... Nonplussed?
Annoyed by Alliteration?
Spy Phone Guy:
March 12th, 2010 at 7:33 am
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your website! You rock.
David:
March 4th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Excellent! Excellent! They dined upon mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon.
charlie Philips:
October 20th, 2017 at 2:20 am
I thought I’d mention that there is a furthar belief of Edward Leah’s naming of the Runcible spoon, it was in fact a large ladle type spoon with holes and the word runcible was derived from Run simple the fact that liquid simply ranm away from the solid when scooped up. However, the nonsense that came out of Leah, suggests that it was purely invented and had no bearing on anything. The run simple theory has been passed down within my family for 70 odd years and I’ve not heard a better explanation in all that time.
Do with it as you will, but if you ever come up with something definnitive, please keep me informed.
skramer:
November 22nd, 2019 at 1:25 pm
always thought spork referred to the foldable, combination utensil packed with camping gear to save space and weight. Combining a fork and spoon for dinners at a campfire. If it had a sharpened edge, as defined here, you would be in danger of slicing open your lip if you attempted to eat with it! Found your definition while checking out an answer to a crossword puzzle clue. Just wonder why you would need a sharpened edge to spear a pickle?
Simon Phillips:
December 2nd, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Edward Lear was, quite simply, nuts. If you are Posh and Nuts, you are an eccentric. However, the word “runcible” is rounded, smooth, flow to it that it is appealling when spoken. This is infinitely preferable to the word ‘spork’ which, to be honest, sounds like a bowlderised expletive!
Aunty Sparrow:
December 14th, 2020 at 10:39 am
A very late comment… thank you for such interesting information. I have always believed that a Runcible spoon was one that had the spoon part at right angles to the handle. They were made for small children, and sometimes had a handle looped back underneath to make it easier to hold. They were often given as Christening gifts, and plated with silver… accompanied by another little eating tool, called a Pusher.
Vozgarr'ch:
May 6th, 2021 at 2:05 pm
I’m pretty sure the word runcible is just a fancy word for fancy. Considering it is most likely completely made up and is used somewhat ambiguously, this seems like the most logical definition.