The zigzag method is a etiquette of knife and fork use in food consumption particular to North America.
The knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. Holding food to the plate with the fork, a number of bite-sized pieces are cut with the knife. The knife is then placed towards the top and right of the plate and the fork transfered to the right hand, with the left hand falling to the lap of the consumer. The cut pieces are then eaten using the fork, wielded in a 'spoon-like' manner rather than to impale the food. The process is then repeated as necessary. A left-handed consumer can retain the fork in the stronger hand, although the knife is still released. Some American consumers chose to disregard the knife entirely, using a fork in their right hand and cutting their food by sawing with the edge of their fork.
This contrasts with the European manner of constantly holding both knife and fork, in the right and left hands respectively, throughout consumption. The hand grasp is also different, in Europe it is considered better manners not to hold a knife or fork as one would hold a pen, but to have the handle running along the palm and extending out to be held by thumb and forefinger. This style is sometimes called 'hidden handle'. This method is also common in Canada and most other ex-colonies.
The cause of the difference in custom is uncertain. It is believed to have originated because the 16th century American colonists had established themselves before the fork, and any custom of its use, had become widespread in Europe. The implement did not become widespread in Europe (certainly northern Europe) until the 18th century, and was not adopted in the United States until the 19th century. The American use of blunt-ended knives was also a factor.
Another belief is that, as the frontier was a rough and ready place, the placing of the knife back on the table indicated to others that you had no intentions of hurting them. The dropping of the left hand into the lap near a pistol or another knife, however, was an important safety precaution.
