Chopsticks are utensils used in many Asian countries to eat and serve food. Most of the food in those countries is served in small pieces, which can be easily handled with a pair of chopsticks. The Chinese name for chopsticks, kuaizi, is a pun on kuai, a word that means both quick and piece. The English word may come from pidgin English, a dialect used by early traders in China. Chop means quick in pidgin English.
Chopsticks are slim, tapered sticks about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. Most are made of wood or bamboo, but some are ivory or silver. A person using chopsticks holds them parallel to each other. The top stick, which moves up and down, is held by the thumb and the index and middle fingers, like a pencil. The bottom stick rests at the base of the thumb and is braced against the top of the fourth finger. The ends of the chopsticks thus hold the food securely. Many non-Asians use chopsticks when eating Asian food.
