03-08-2008, 10:38 AM
Probably on the same accepted basis that the very small copper alloy flat sticks with a small depression on the end (who I've seen popping up in the scandinavian archaeological record from at least the 7th century, possibly earlier as well) are called "ear spoons" - someone made the interpretation once and it stuck. Or the "sausage pins" that we keep unearthing from food refuse all the time....people sure ate a lot of sausages in medieval scandinavia....or perhaps they used those wooden pins in the way we use forks? 
