What is the origin of the term 'wooden spoon', which is what tippers-of-not-a-very-high-quality recieve?

(Just wanted to know since I expect to earn one pretty soon! )

Well Harish, this seems to be about the most plausible answer:
To get the wooden spoon is now a prize for finishing last in a sporting event or other competition. It derives from a Cambridge University custom of presenting such a spoon to the person last in the Maths Tripos. In 1811 there were three classes of Honours degree; the first were called Wranglers and were said to be born with golden spoons in their mouths. The second were Senior Optimes and had silver spoons in their mouths. The third type were Junior Optimes and were born with lead spoons; the last Junior Optime was called the Wooden spoon. Those without Honours were either meritorious, in the Gulf, or just one of the Many.

lol !

wait till ozzz2002 sees this

Wow, Ren, didn't realise that they had so much historical significance! Thanks for enlightening me.

Just want to let ozzz know that I'll be meeting him at the next annual cutlery convention!

Harish, don't joke. You haven't even got a Wooden spoon yet. They are a collector's item, well not for Ozzz.

You just wait and see, the day I start tipping in the AUstralian football threads, my collection will pose a stiff competition to ozzz's...

I wonder why both you and Ozzz are so intent on collecting wooden spoons. I definitely want steel spoons.

\Well as I understand the slang - perhaps you should try for the "Leather Medal" perhaps our US colleagues can answer that one?
Ren , I'm not even going to query your answer, I'm sure it's right (lol and LOL)

Wooden spoons are very rare these days. You can't find them anywhere but at ozzz's house in Sydney, Australia

Well, pretty soon I expect to have a collection of my own...

Quote:

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wait till ozzz2002 sees this

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Seen and ignored..

Ozzz, can I have a spoon from your collection. I can brag about it to my friends. Wooden spoons are not commonly seen in India these days.

Some of us have a number of wooden spoons which are used for their normal purpose, in cooking - I have at least half a dozen of varying sizes and use them all the time.

Sue, perhaps you could give Ozzz a few pointers on what to do with all his? Although nobody can stir that much pasta.