Etymology Map
Back to all words

Cafeteria

2 stages from Mexican Spanish to English.

Today it means a self-service restaurant, especially in a school, workplace, or institution
1
Stage 1 of 2
cafeteria
Mexican Spanish · 1800s
"a coffee shop"
literally a coffee shop, from cafe (coffee)
2
Stage 2 of 2
cafeteria
English · 1890s
"a self-service dining establishment"
adopted in American English for a self-service dining hall
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom