How eating utensils came to be known as "Silverware"

Silver is as useful as it is beautiful. A natural antibiotic, it kills bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, algae and other microorganisms.

People have recognized this benefit since ancient times. Ancient Phoenicians used silver vessels to keep water pure. In the absence of modern refrigeration, sailors then, threw silver coins into their milk to keep it from spoiling on long journeys and wealthy Romans ate with silver plates, knives, forks and spoons to keep spoiled food from making them sick. In fact, historians think that is how eating utensils came to be called “silverware.”