What is a cutter mattock used for?

[amecks]

I used one for the first time this weekend.  It's been tucked behind my tool box and I have no idea how it came into my possession. We had a BIG boxelder tree cut down on our property and the guys here at the rental store let me take the stump cutter home.  I used the mattock to pull dirt away from the stump and expose the roots prior to using the gas powered stump cutter. 
Wikipedia says the tool is used for digging and chopping.  I am wondering what it was typically used for. It sure worked well for me and made quick work of getting the roots exposed.
Boxelder trees are giant weeds.  I have had to cut up 4 of them that fell over in my yard in the past two years, two of them across the driveway.
This photo is from wikipedia - my lawn's not that nice!
Al

[Bill Houghton]

Soil with lots of roots in it.

[Northwoods]

You used it exactly right.  Works well for removing shrubs  But a friend with a Bobcat and a chain works better

[HeelSpur]

Yup, have 4 of them and they're well used.

[oldgoaly]

hand digging for burying you water and septic lines on the farm in hard or lots of roots.

[international3414]

thats the one i always called a grub hoe