From Middle English spoon, spoune, spone, spon (“spoon, chip of wood”), from Old English spōn (“sliver, chip of wood, shaving”), from Proto-West Germanic *spānu, from Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, flake, shaving”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peH- (“chip, shaving, log, length of wood”). Cognate with Scots spun, spon (“spoon, shingle”), West Frisian spoen (“chip”), Dutch spaan (“chip, flinders”), German Span (“chip, flake, shaving”), Swedish spån (“chip, flake”), Norwegian Nynorsk spon (“chip, spoon”), Faroese spónur (“wood chip; spoon”), Ancient Greek σφήν (sphḗn, “wedge”)(though the connection to the Greek is likely impossible by modern reconstructions of PIE). Eclipsed non-native Middle English cuculer, coclear (“spoon”), from Old English cuculer, cuceler, cucler, borrowed from Latin cochlear (“spoon”). The "metaphoric unit of personal energy" sense was coined by writer and disability advocate Christine Miserandino in 2003 (see spoon theory).
An implement for eating or serving; a scooped utensil whose long handle is straight, in contrast to a ladle.
He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
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An implement for stirring food while being prepared; a wooden spoon.
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A measure that will fit into a spoon; a spoonful.
While Ms. Fly was with Sharon in the kitchen, Sharon asked the defendant for a “spoon of drugs.” Defendant refused and stated that he did not know where drugs could be obtained.1978, Illinois. Supreme Court, Reports of Cases at Law and in Chancery..., page 76:
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Golf, Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsArchaic A wooden-headed golf club with moderate loft, similar to the modern fairway wood.
To this class college rowing offers no attractions or place, nor are they generally looked upon by the artists of the "spoons" as a desirable addition […]1877, The Country, volumes 1-2, page 339:
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Fishing, Hobbies, Lifestyle A type of metal lure resembling the concave head of a tablespoon.
To get all the advantages of being with men of this sort, you must know how to draw your inferences and not be a spoon who takes things literally.1872, George Eliot, “Chapter 23”, in Middlemarch:
Slang A metaphoric unit of finite physical and mental energy available for daily activities, especially in the context of living with chronic illness or disability.
We therefore have to meticulously plan out each day with the small amount of spoons we have. Each task will cost us at least one spoon.2014 March 12, “The Spoon Theory – Rationing my Legs & Energy”, in Spoonie Sophia, WordPress:
You work, and play, and clean, and love, and hate, and that's lots of damn spoons . . . but if you are young and healthy you still have spoons left over as you fall asleep and wait for the new supply of spoons to be delivered in the morning.2015, Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, page 241:
3 more examples
Once you're out of spoons for the day, that's it, no more energy. So when you get down to your last couple of spoons for the day, you have to decide, what's the priority?2016, Tymber Dalton, Two Against Nature, page 86:
But if you're running low on spoons, take some time out to recharge.2018, Donna Alward, Nancy Cassidy, Adulting 101: Writing Through Life and Other Adventures:
He has frequent dizzy spells. His friend has Asperger syndrome. Both relate and support each other when they have run out of spoons.2018, Dennis J. DeWitt, Zoe Died. What Now?: Finding Hope in Times of Loss:
From Middle English spoon, spoune, spone, spon (“spoon, chip of wood”), from Old English spōn (“sliver, chip of wood, shaving”), from Proto-West Germanic *spānu, from Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, flake, shaving”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peH- (“chip, shaving, log, length of wood”). Cognate with Scots spun, spon (“spoon, shingle”), West Frisian spoen (“chip”), Dutch spaan (“chip, flinders”), German Span (“chip, flake, shaving”), Swedish spån (“chip, flake”), Norwegian Nynorsk spon (“chip, spoon”), Faroese spónur (“wood chip; spoon”), Ancient Greek σφήν (sphḗn, “wedge”)(though the connection to the Greek is likely impossible by modern reconstructions of PIE). Eclipsed non-native Middle English cuculer, coclear (“spoon”), from Old English cuculer, cuceler, cucler, borrowed from Latin cochlear (“spoon”). The "metaphoric unit of personal energy" sense was coined by writer and disability advocate Christine Miserandino in 2003 (see spoon theory).
To serve using a spoon; to transfer (something) with a spoon.
Sarah spooned some apple sauce onto her plate.
Talbot champed away, finally spooning in resignation with the tinned fruit salad, calm of mind reached with the last piece of cheese, all passion spent in the third drained coffee-cup.1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 365:
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Dated To flirt; to make advances; to court, to interact romantically or amorously.
By the light of the silvery moon, / I want to spoon, / To my honey I'll croon love's tune, […]1909, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, Ed[ward] Madden (lyrics), Gus Edwards (music), New York, N.Y.: Gus Edwards Music Pub Co, →OCLC, pages 4–5:
Do you think we spoon and do? We only talk.1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter 7, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […], →OCLC:
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Informal, Of persons To lie nestled front-to-back, following the contours of the bodies, in a manner reminiscent of stacked spoons.
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Broadly, Informal, Of persons To have sex in such a position.
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Ball games, Cricket, Games, Golf, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Tennis To hit (the ball) weakly, pushing it with a lifting motion, instead of striking with an audible knock.
Law is in the field; the Criminal at the wicket. If Law makes a mistake—sends down a loose ball or drops a catch—the Criminal scores a little or has another lease of life. But if he makes a mistake—if he lets a straight ball pass or spoons towards a steady man—he is done for.1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados:
Rosol spurned the chance to finish off a shallow second serve by spooning into the net, and a wild forehand took the set to 5-4, with the native of Prerov required to hold his serve for victory.2012 June 28, Jamie Jackson, “Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal”, in the Guardian:
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To fish with a concave spoon bait.
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To catch by fishing with a concave spoon bait.
He had with him all the tackle necessary for spooning pike.1888, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Robert Elsmere: