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What is a "wooden spoon"?
A wooden spoon is a utensil typically made from wood, with a long handle and a rounded or flat bowl-like end. It is commonly used in cooking for stirring, mixing, and serving various dishes, particularly those cooked in pots or pans with non-stick coatings or delicate surfaces that could be scratched by metal utensils. Wooden spoons are valued for their durability, heat resistance, and non-reactivity with acidic ingredients, making them suitable for use with a wide range of foods. They come in various sizes and shapes, from small stirring spoons to larger mixing spoons, and are often preferred by chefs and home cooks alike for their natural feel and traditional appeal.
a mock prize, usually a wooden spoon, given to the person or team that finishes last in a competition
British
What is a "wooden spoon"?
A wooden spoon award is a humorous or ironic prize given to someone who has performed the worst in a competition or contest. It is usually a literal wooden spoon, but sometimes it can be just a name or a title. The origin of this award comes from the British tradition of awarding a wooden spoon to the lowest-scoring student in the mathematics exam at the University of Cambridge. The wooden spoon award has since spread to other English-speaking countries and can be used for various academic, sporting or fun events.
