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Where does the word "cafeteria" come from? It comes from Mexican Spanish cafeteria, and was adopted directly into English (1890s).
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Where does the word "cafeteria" come from? It comes from Mexican Spanish cafeteria, and was adopted directly into English (1890s).
Cafeteria’s story begins in Mexican Spanish: cafeteria meant “a coffee shop.” Literally a coffee shop, from cafe (coffee). It reached English by 1890s as cafeteria. Adopted in American English for a self-service dining hall. Today, cafeteria means a self-service restaurant, especially in a school, workplace, or institution.
- Stage 1 · Mexican Spanish · 1800s cafeteria "a coffee shop", literally a coffee shop, from cafe (coffee).
- Stage 2 · English · 1890s cafeteria "a self-service dining establishment", adopted in American English for a self-service dining hall.