Did you know the fork was not invented by an Italian but was popularized by Italians eating spaghetti? In the words of Yogi Berra, “When you come to a fork in the road take it.” The story of the fork at times is just as bizarre as Yogi’s interpretation of common utensils. The origin of the word “fork” comes from the Latin word “furca” which is defined as pitchfork.

The fork was first used by the Byzantines in 400 A.D. However, the first instance of the fork in Italy was used by the Byzantine Princess Maria Argyropoulaina of Constantinople who in the 10th Century married Giovanni Orseolo , son of the Doge of Venezia, Pietro II. Before the fork was invented most people used their hands to push or pick up food.