Spit vs. Skewer — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 12, 2024
Spit involves expelling liquid from the mouth, often as a natural response or gesture, while skewering refers to piercing or threading food on a long, thin stick for cooking or serving.
Difference Between Spit and Skewer
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva, liquid, or substances from the mouth, typically as an involuntary reflex or deliberate action. Whereas, skewering involves inserting a thin rod or stick through pieces of food, such as meat or vegetables, to hold them together during cooking or serving.
Someone spits, it can be a reaction to unwanted substances in the mouth, a way to express disdain, or a method of moisture in certain sports. On the other hand, skewering is a culinary technique used in grilling, roasting, or presenting food in an appealing manner, enhancing flavor and ease of handling.
Spitting is often considered rude and unsanitary in many cultures, associated with disrespect or disgust. Conversely, skewering is seen as an artful and practical approach in cooking, allowing for even cooking and an attractive presentation of food items.
While spitting can occur in various contexts, from medical examinations to cultural rituals, it generally lacks a creative or constructive purpose. In contrast, skewering is an essential skill in culinary arts, crucial for dishes like kebabs, satays, and various grilled foods, showcasing culinary creativity and expertise.
Spitting involves minimal equipment, usually none, relying solely on the human body's ability to eject substances from the mouth. Skewering, however, requires specific tools such as metal or wooden skewers, and sometimes specialized equipment like rotisseries for larger spit-roasts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Ejecting liquid from the mouth
Piercing food with a long thin stick
Primary Context
Bodily action, often involuntary
Culinary technique
Cultural Perception
Generally negative, unsanitary
Positive, associated with cooking
Equipment
None
Metal or wooden skewers
Purpose
Ejection, expression, or moisture
Cooking, presentation, flavor
Compare with Definitions
Spit
Eject saliva from the mouth.
He spit out the bitter medicine.
Skewer
Pierce with a thin stick.
We skewered the marshmallows for roasting.
Spit
Emit small bursts.
The sputtering candle spit wax droplets.
Skewer
Use as a probe.
He skewered the soil to check for moisture.
Spit
Moisturize for grip.
The pitcher spit on his hand for a better grip.
Skewer
Criticize sharply.
The critic skewered the movie in his review.
Spit
Expel forcefully.
The volcano spit out lava and ash.
Skewer
Hold together.
Skewers kept the sandwich layers in place.
Spit
Show disdain by spitting.
She spit on the ground to show her disgust.
Skewer
Thread food for cooking.
She skewered pieces of meat and vegetables for the barbecue.
Spit
Saliva, especially when expectorated; spittle.
Skewer
A skewer is a thin metal or wood stick used to hold pieces of food together. The word may sometimes be used as a metonym, to refer to the entire food item served on a skewer, as in "chicken skewers".
Spit
The act of expectorating.
Skewer
A long piece of wood or metal used for holding pieces of food, typically meat, together during cooking
Thread the meat on to large skewers and grill over a gentle heat
Spit
Something, such as the frothy secretion of spittle bugs, that resembles spit.
Skewer
Fasten together or pierce with a pin or skewer
Skewer the cubes of beef, using six to eight per skewer
Spit
A brief, scattered rainfall or snowfall.
Skewer
A long metal or wooden pin used to secure or suspend food during cooking; a spit.
Spit
(Informal) The perfect likeness
He's the spit and image of his father.
Skewer
Any of various picks or rods having a function or shape similar to a skewer.
Spit
A slender, pointed rod on which meat is impaled for roasting.
Skewer
To hold together or pierce with a skewer or other pointed object.
Spit
A narrow point of land extending into a body of water.
Skewer
To ridicule or criticize harshly
A reviewer who skewered the tedious movie.
Spit
To eject from the mouth
Spat out the grape seeds.
Skewer
A long pin, normally made of metal or wood, used to secure food during cooking.
Spit
To eject as if from the mouth
A fire spitting sparks.
Skewer
Food served on a skewer. en
Spit
To emit suddenly and forcefully
Spat out an insult.
Skewer
(chess) A scenario in which a piece attacks a more valuable piece which, if it moves aside, reveals a less valuable piece.
Spit
To eject matter from the mouth; expectorate.
Skewer
(rare) That which skews something.
Spit
To express contempt or animosity, especially by ejecting matter from the mouth.
Skewer
To impale on a skewer.
Spit
To make a hissing or sputtering noise
French fries spitting in the pan.
Skewer
(chess) To attack a piece which has a less valuable piece behind it.
Spit
To rain or snow in light, scattered drops or flakes.
Skewer
(figurative) To severely mock or discredit.
Spit
To impale on or as if on a spit.
Skewer
A pin of wood or metal for fastening meat to a spit, or for keeping it in form while roasting.
Meat well stuck with skewers to make it look round.
Spit
A thin metal or wooden rod on which meat is skewered for cooking, often over a fire.
Skewer
To fasten with skewers.
Spit
A generally low, narrow, pointed, usually sandy peninsula.
Skewer
A long pin for holding meat in position while it is being roasted
Spit
(uncountable) Saliva, especially when expectorated.
There was spit all over the washbasin.
Skewer
Drive a skewer through;
Skewer the meat for the BBQ
Spit
(countable) An instance of spitting; specifically, a light fall of rain or snow.
Spit
A person who exactly resembles someone else (usually in set phrases; see spitting image).
Spit
(uncountable) slam
Spit
The depth to which the blade of a spade goes into the soil when it is used for digging; a layer of soil of the depth of a spade's blade.
Spit
The amount of soil that a spade holds; a spadeful.
Spit
(transitive) To impale on a spit; to pierce with a sharp object.
To spit a loin of veal
Spit
(transitive) To use a spit to cook; to attend to food that is cooking on a spit.
She’s spitting the roast in the kitchen.
Spit
(ambitransitive) To evacuate (saliva or another substance) from the mouth, etc.
Spit
(ambitransitive) To emit or expel in a manner similar to evacuating saliva from the mouth.
A hot pan spitting droplets of fat
Spit
(impersonal) To rain or snow slightly.
Spit
(ambitransitive) To utter (something) violently.
Spit
(intransitive) To make a spitting sound, like an angry cat.
Spit
To rap, to utter.
Spit
(in the form spitting) To spit facts; to tell the truth.
He's spitting for sure.
Spit
To dig (something) using a spade; also, to turn (the soil) using a plough.
Spit
To plant (something) using a spade.
Spit
To dig, to spade.
Spit
A long, slender, pointed rod, usually of iron, for holding meat while roasting.
Spit
A small point of land running into the sea, or a long, narrow shoal extending from the shore into the sea; as, a spit of sand.
Spit
The depth to which a spade goes in digging; a spade; a spadeful.
Spit
The secretion formed by the glands of the mouth; spitle; saliva; sputum.
Spit
To thrust a spit through; to fix upon a spit; hence, to thrust through or impale; as, to spit a loin of veal.
Spit
To spade; to dig.
Spit
To attend to a spit; to use a spit.
She's spitting in the kitchen.
Spit
To eject from the mouth; to throw out, as saliva or other matter, from the mouth.
Spit
To eject; to throw out; to belch.
Spit
To throw out saliva from the mouth.
Spit
To rain or snow slightly, or with sprinkles.
It had been spitting with rain.
Spit
A narrow strip of land that juts out into the sea
Spit
A clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches
Spit
A skewer for holding meat over a fire
Spit
The act of spitting (forcefully expelling saliva)
Spit
Expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth;
The father of the victim spat at the alleged murderer
Spit
Utter with anger or contempt
Spit
Rain gently;
It has only sprinkled, but the roads are slick
Spit
Drive a skewer through;
Skewer the meat for the BBQ
Common Curiosities
What is a skewer used for in cooking?
A skewer is used to hold pieces of food together for cooking, especially for grilling or roasting.
What is spitting?
Spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or substances from the mouth.
Is spitting considered rude?
Yes, in many cultures, spitting is considered rude and unsanitary.
Can spitting have cultural significance?
In some cultures, spitting can carry symbolic meanings or be part of rituals.
Are there different types of skewers?
Yes, skewers can be made of metal, wood, or bamboo, and come in various lengths and thicknesses.
How does skewering affect cooking?
Skewering allows for even cooking and can enhance the flavor by allowing heat to circulate around the food.
Is it safe to reuse wooden skewers?
Wooden skewers can be reused if cleaned properly, but they are generally considered disposable.
Can spitting be a reflex?
Yes, spitting can be an involuntary reflex in response to certain stimuli.
Why is spitting discouraged in public places?
Spitting in public is discouraged due to health concerns and as a matter of public etiquette.
How do you prepare skewers for grilling?
If using wooden skewers, it's recommended to soak them in water to prevent burning during grilling.
What foods are commonly skewered?
Meats, vegetables, fruits, and even desserts can be skewered for cooking or presentation.
What are the hygiene concerns with spitting?
Spitting can spread germs and diseases, making it a public health concern.
Can spitting be part of a professional activity?
Yes, in some sports, spitting is used by players to moisten their hands or the ground for better grip.
Is spitting allowed in sports?
While common, spitting in sports is often frowned upon and may be subject to regulations.
Can skewers be used in the oven?
Yes, skewers can be used in the oven, especially metal ones that withstand high temperatures.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Contractee vs. Contractor
Next Comparison
Matter vs. SubstanceAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
