What is silverware Silver has properties that help fight bacteria Before disinfectants utensils like spoons cups candlesticks plates and even table weights were coated in silver to keep them sanitary. With the advent of modern soaps and dishwashers real silver was no longer necessary. We now use stainless steel instead but the name stuck any household utensil with that famous shine is technically silverware. In modern speech however silverware became a synonym for flatware. Oneida became a synonym for top of the line.
