fingers were made before forks
A justification for eating with one's hands instead of utensils. Aw Mom, fingers were made before forks—can't I just eat my chicken nuggets in peace?
Fingers were made before forks.
Prov. It is all right to eat with one's fingers because people had to eat somehow before there were forks. (Used to justify eating something with your fingers.) Mother: Put that chicken wing back on your plate and eat it properly, with a knife and fork. Child: But Mom, fingers were made before forks. I don't see why it's considered bad manners to eat with your fingers. Fingers were made before forks.