toothpick

toothpicks

A toothpick is a device made for cleaning bits of food out of your teeth. Toothpicks are also used to pick up small appetizers or other tidbits. At a fancy party, use toothpicks for eating hors d'oeuvres, not for digging food out of your teeth!

Tooth-picking is, in fact, the original intended use of these handy tools. Experts believe that toothpicks were invented long before modern humans evolved—there's evidence that Neanderthals used toothpicks. In the 17th century, toothpicks were a luxury (and sometimes made of silver), but by the early 20th century, factories were mass producing wooden toothpicks for everyone to enjoy.