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Where does the word "menu" come from? It comes from Latin minutus, passing through French before entering English (1830s).
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Where does the word "menu" come from? It comes from Latin minutus, passing through French before entering English (1830s).
Menu’s story begins in Latin: minutus meant “small.” The root of 'minute' and 'minor'. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as menu. A detailed list of dishes. It reached English by 1830s as menu. Computer 'menus' date from the 1960s. Today, menu means a list of dishes; a list of options.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient minutus "small", the root of 'minute' and 'minor'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1700s menu "detailed list", a detailed list of dishes.
- Stage 3 · English · 1830s menu "list of dishes", computer 'menus' date from the 1960s.