the name of the fountain came from the imposed collection of payment for the waters. "colher" is portuguese for "spoon", which was the measure of payment for all goods sold in porto (bread, flour, walnuts, etc.), which arrived by land or river. the products that arrived by land were paid as tribute at the gate of the sé to the bishop. those that arrived by river and normally sold at the fair near the miragaia shipyards were paid at the fountain. the merchants, for each alqueire of product, was required to pay on "colher" ("spoon") of tribute.