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Where does the word "lunch" come from? It comes from English lunch, passing through English before entering English (1820s).
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Where does the word "lunch" come from? It comes from English lunch, passing through English before entering English (1820s).
Lunch’s story begins in English: lunch meant “hunk.” A thick piece or hunk, as of bread or cheese; perhaps from 'lump'. Within English, it grew into luncheon by 1650s. A light meal between breakfast and dinner. It reached English by 1820s as lunch. Shortened from 'luncheon' as dinner moved to the evening. Today, lunch means a meal eaten in the middle of the day.
- Stage 1 · English · 1580s lunch "hunk", a thick piece or hunk, as of bread or cheese; perhaps from 'lump'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1650s luncheon "light meal", a light meal between breakfast and dinner.
- Stage 3 · English · 1820s lunch "midday meal", shortened from 'luncheon' as dinner moved to the evening.