cocktail stick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “cocktail stick” mean?
A short, thin, pointed stick, typically made of wood or plastic, used to hold or spear pieces of food, especially in a party or drinks context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, thin, pointed stick, typically made of wood or plastic, used to hold or spear pieces of food, especially in a party or drinks context.
A functional item for serving finger foods; can metaphorically refer to a precarious or unstable situation in informal contexts (e.g., 'a peace agreement balanced on a cocktail stick').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is common and standard in both varieties. No major lexical differences exist.
Connotations
In the UK, it may have stronger associations with specific party foods like cheese and pineapple. In the US, it might be more generically linked to 'appetizers' or 'hors d'oeuvres'.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to cultural traditions around buffet and party food.
Grammar
How to Use “cocktail stick” in a Sentence
[verb] + with + cocktail stick (e.g., spear, hold)[noun] + on + a cocktail stick (e.g., olive, sausage)use + a cocktail stick + to + [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality or catering contexts.
Academic
Extremely rare; not a technical term.
Everyday
Common in the context of home entertaining, parties, and recipes.
Technical
Used in food service and hospitality industries to specify a type of service utensil.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cocktail stick”
- Using 'toothpick' for all contexts (a toothpick is primarily for dental use, while a cocktail stick is often longer and for food presentation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While similar, a cocktail stick is often slightly longer, sturdier, and designed for serving food at parties. A toothpick is primarily for personal dental use.
They are commonly made from wood (like birch) or plastic. Decorative ones can be made from bamboo or even metal.
Yes, it is perfectly understood, though 'toothpick' is often used generically for similar items. The term 'cocktail pick' is also used.
Common items include cubes of cheese, olives, cocktail sausages, pieces of fruit (like pineapple or melon), and mini meatballs.
A short, thin, pointed stick, typically made of wood or plastic, used to hold or spear pieces of food, especially in a party or drinks context.
Cocktail stick is usually neutral in register.
Cocktail stick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒkteɪl ˌstɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːkteɪl ˌstɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a cocktail stick (meaning: in a very small or precarious portion/situation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COCKtail party where everyone holds a STICK with a piece of cheese. Cocktail + stick = stick for cocktail food.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECARIOUS SUPPORT IS A COCKTAIL STICK (e.g., 'the deal was hanging by a cocktail stick').
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is a 'cocktail stick' LEAST likely to be used?