146. Runcible

Emily and Kyle look at some whimsical poems and delightful nonsense, as they try—perhaps in vain—to ascertain the meaning and origin of the word runcible.

It’s revealed that this word isn’t exactly a word, though it certainly looks like one. Emily recalls a cozy, if silly, bit of poetry from her childhood. Kyle learns of a must-see opera prequel of “The Owl and the Pussycat”. And Edward Lear uses the word runcible in a variety of ways which honestly lead to more questions than answers.

But it turns out that the runcible spoon poses even greater mysteries. When did this fanciful term come to describe the humble spork? What does an hors d'oeuvres server have to do with an 8th century military defeat? And what is the strangest hybrid utensil out there? All or none of those questions will be answered!