When this happens, one plate moves past the other, suddenly causing the Earth's surface to split.

VOA: special.2010.01.12

Berlusconi and his counterpart Paavo Lipponen ultimately decided to split the plate, as it were, opting in March to put a branch of the agency in both places.

FORBES: Food Feuds

Instead of complex food groups, the plate is split into an easy four: fruits, vegetables, proteins and grain.

FORBES: U.S.D.A. Topples Food Pyramid With A Very Expensive Plate

"The problems associated with dementia in relation to eating and drinking result in food being 'chased' around normal plates and the options that are available are quite childlike, such as plate guards and split plates, " she said.

BBC: The utensils keeping frail people eating independently