Note 126 — Chapter VIII · THE EMPLOYMENTS OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

We can readily understand why “Spooner” should be so common a name, when we reflect that not only were there no forks in use, but our forefathers were particularly fond of sauces and thick soups. The spoon was much more used than the knife at dinner. Our “Pottingers” are relics of the old potager, or pottinger, who made pottage—that is, soup well thickened with vegetables. Porridge is but a corruption of pottage. In all this the spoon played an important part. I see four Pottingers in the Directory.