Not the most interesting of compositions but what a story this has. If it's said that someone "Was born with a silver spoon in their mouth", it's a phrase meaning that they didn't do much to inherit their money or riches, a bit like royalty.
Before the place setting became popular around 1700, people brought their own spoons to the table, carrying them in the same way that people today carry wallet and keys. In pre-modern times, ownership of a silver spoon was an indication of social class, denoting membership in the land-owning classes. Or if you had a brass or bare metal spoon you were classed as lower class.
I often look at this silver spoon made in London in 1796 by Silversmith George Gray, and wonder how many mouths has this feed. It is mine, and I wasn't quite born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
Quite interesting - I've heard the expression all my life, but never knew that people were expected to carry around their own silverware! Oh, and I see a face in the spoon - nothing new for me, I see faces in every thing since joining 365...lol...
Oh, so interesting Heather! I was vaguely aware of the correlation between silver spoon and wealth but not the rest of it, i.e., bringing one's own spoon to the table and its composition a declaration of social status. Very cool!
Heather I would have missed this bar your comment on my ten bob note sorry. That was an interesting history lesson , I think the silver spoons should make an outing .
