PitchforkFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Pitchfork (disambiguation).
A pitchfork next to a compost bin
Pitching hayA pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and tynes used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw or leaves.
Contents [hide]
Description[edit]A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thick, widely separated pointed tynes used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw or leaves. True pitchforks typically have only two or three tynes, while manure forks have four or more. However, some forks with more than three tynes are also used for handling loose material such as hay or silage.[1] Other forks have up to ten tynes with different lengths and spacing depending on purpose. They are usually made of steel with a long wooden handle, but may also be made from wood, wrought iron, bamboo, or alloy. In some parts of England a pitchfork is known as a prong[2] and, in parts of Ireland, a sprong refers to a four-pronged pitchfork.[3] The pitchfork is similar to the shorter and sturdier garden fork.
Pitchforks and scythes have frequently been used as weapons by those who could not afford or did not have access to more expensive weapons such as swords, or, later, guns.[4] As a result, pitchforks and scythes are stereotypically carried by angry mobs or gangs of enraged peasants.
In Europe, the pitchfork was first used in the early Middle Ages, at about the same time as the harrow.[citation needed] The pitchfork was originally made entirely of wood; today, the tynes are usually made of hard metal.[1]
Symbolism, literary and artistic references[edit]
Farmer with a Pitchfork, by Winslow Homer, 1874Artistic usage[edit]A notable American artistic display of a three-pronged pitchfork is in American Gothic, the painting by Grant Wood. In this painting it symbolizes hand labour. There are other paintings by various artists which depict a wide variety of pitchforks and other tools in use and at rest.[5]
Political usage[edit]
Pluto holding a bident in a woodcut from the Gods and Goddesses series of Hendrick Goltzius (1588-89)Because of its association with peasantry, the pitchfork is often a populist symbol and part of the nickname of populist leaders, thus:
Religious symbolism[edit]The pitchfork is often used in satire of Christian demonology in popular media, especially in early humorous cartoons where a popular joke was a caricature of an angel and a pitchfork-wielding devil sitting on the shoulders of the protagonist.[citation needed]
The Hellenistic deity Pluto wields a bident, a two-pronged weapon strikingly similar in form to a pitchfork.
See also[edit]References[edit]
[hide]
Garden tools
Categories:
For other uses, see Pitchfork (disambiguation).
A pitchfork next to a compost bin
Pitching hayA pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and tynes used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw or leaves.
Contents [hide]
Description[edit]A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thick, widely separated pointed tynes used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw or leaves. True pitchforks typically have only two or three tynes, while manure forks have four or more. However, some forks with more than three tynes are also used for handling loose material such as hay or silage.[1] Other forks have up to ten tynes with different lengths and spacing depending on purpose. They are usually made of steel with a long wooden handle, but may also be made from wood, wrought iron, bamboo, or alloy. In some parts of England a pitchfork is known as a prong[2] and, in parts of Ireland, a sprong refers to a four-pronged pitchfork.[3] The pitchfork is similar to the shorter and sturdier garden fork.
Pitchforks and scythes have frequently been used as weapons by those who could not afford or did not have access to more expensive weapons such as swords, or, later, guns.[4] As a result, pitchforks and scythes are stereotypically carried by angry mobs or gangs of enraged peasants.
In Europe, the pitchfork was first used in the early Middle Ages, at about the same time as the harrow.[citation needed] The pitchfork was originally made entirely of wood; today, the tynes are usually made of hard metal.[1]
Symbolism, literary and artistic references[edit]
Farmer with a Pitchfork, by Winslow Homer, 1874Artistic usage[edit]A notable American artistic display of a three-pronged pitchfork is in American Gothic, the painting by Grant Wood. In this painting it symbolizes hand labour. There are other paintings by various artists which depict a wide variety of pitchforks and other tools in use and at rest.[5]
Political usage[edit]
Pluto holding a bident in a woodcut from the Gods and Goddesses series of Hendrick Goltzius (1588-89)Because of its association with peasantry, the pitchfork is often a populist symbol and part of the nickname of populist leaders, thus:
- "Pitchfork Ben" (Benjamin Tillman)
- "Pitchfork Pat" (Pat Buchanan)
Religious symbolism[edit]The pitchfork is often used in satire of Christian demonology in popular media, especially in early humorous cartoons where a popular joke was a caricature of an angel and a pitchfork-wielding devil sitting on the shoulders of the protagonist.[citation needed]
The Hellenistic deity Pluto wields a bident, a two-pronged weapon strikingly similar in form to a pitchfork.
See also[edit]References[edit]
- ^ Jump up to:a b "Why All Pitchforks Are Not Alike". Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- Jump up^ Copper, Bob, A Song for Every Season: a hundred years of a Sussex farming family. London: Heinemann, 1971; p. 112
- Jump up^ Joyce, P. W. English as We Speak it in Ireland, p. 832. Talbot Press - via Google Books, 1920.
- Jump up^ "Medieval Men". Medieval-Period.com. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- Jump up^ Ritch, Alan (2006-02-06). "Resting in the hay (1592-1900)". Hay In Art. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
[hide]
Garden tools
- Averruncator
- Axe
- Chainsaw
- Cultivator
- Daisy grubber
- Dibber
- Earth auger
- Edger
- Garden fork
- Garden hose
- Grass shears
- Grass stitcher
- Hedge trimmer
- Hoe
- Hori hori
- Irrigation sprinkler
- Lawn aerator
- Lawn mower
- Lawn sweeper
- Leaf blower
- Loppers
- Machete
- Mattock
- Pickaxe
- Pitchfork
- Plough (plow)
- Post hole digger
- Potting bench
- Pruning shears (secateurs)
- Rake
- Riddle
- Rotary tiller
- Scythe
- Shovel
- Sickle
- Spade
- String trimmer
- Trowel
- Watering can
- Weeder
- Wheelbarrow
Categories: