What is lunch? Most likely, everyone is familiar with this word. Why might it be interesting to consider? The fact is that this lexeme, with all their similarities associated with eating, has several shades of interpretation. About what lunch is in various interpretations, as well as synonyms and etymology of this word, will be discussed in the article.
Let's turn to dictionaries
They give several lexical meanings of the word "lunch". Consider them.
Firstly, this is an action corresponding in meaning to the verb "to dine". It indicates the main meal of the day.
Usage examples:
- "The dinner was very fun and relaxed, but when the bottles of wine were served, Perevalov flatly refused to drink."
- "Semyonov was seated next to Tatyana at dinner, which made him immensely happy."
- "When we all returned home, it was already an hour, which meant that there was very little time left before lunch."
- "Dinner was served more than threedishes, as was customary in this house, and as many as five. Today was a special day.”
To better understand the meaning of the word "lunch", consider other interpretations of it.
Other interpretations
Among them is, for example, one that considers the word being studied as dishes that are intended for meals that take place in the daytime. Example: “Dear guests were expected today, so Elena went to the market early in the morning, bought fresh meat for soup and a second one, and, taking the children to school, began to cook dinner.”
The following interpretation refers to colloquial speech and does not mean food, but lunch time, referring to the middle of the day. Example 1: "Alena warned that she and her sister would be walking for a long time and would most likely return only at lunchtime." Example 2: “When will the doctor come next? “He promised to visit tomorrow at lunchtime. And he usually keeps his promises.”
Another answer to the question: "What is lunch" can be like this. This is a daily meal, which is arranged as a treat, inviting guests to the table. Example 1: “The Melnikovs made it a rule to give sumptuous dinners four times a year, but at the same time they themselves did not like visiting guests.” Example 2: “No matter how his neighbors invited him to dinner, Alexander always refused, which was mostly due to his shyness.”
Next, words that are close in meaning will be given.
Synonyms
Among them you can find:
- lunch;
- food;
- meal;
- food;
- time;
- event;
- lunch break;
- banquet;
- feast;
- smoke break;
- break;
- food;
- dishes;
- feast;
- meal;
- dishes;
- treat;
- meals;
- food;
- reception;
- rout;
- stop;
- sanitary hour;
- sissy.
Better understanding of what lunch is, will serve as an acquaintance with the origin of the studied lexeme.
Etymology
It goes back to the Proto-Slavic language, where such a form as oed is found. It was formed from two parts. The first of them is a prefix (the prefix “about”, in this case, meaning “around”, “about.” And the second is the root ed, which means food, is. The word is compared with the noun “meat-eater.” Thus, the original meaning of the word lunch - this is the time "around" food, that is, before and after it. From the Proto-Slavic form, among other things, come:
- Old Russian and Old Slavonic "lunch";
- Bulgarian "ritual";
- Slovenian obèd;
- Czech oběd;
- Slovak obed;
- Polish obiad;
- Upper Luga wobjed;
- Lower Luga hobed.
Proto-Slavic oed comes from the verb ědm, meaning "to eat". From him also descend:
- Old Slavic verbs "ѣм", "ѣsti";
- Russian "eat", "eat";
- Belarusian "eat", "eat";
- Bulgarian "yam";
- Slovenian jėm, jėsti;
- Czech jím, jíst;
- Slovak jem, jesť;
- Polish jem, jeść;
- Upper Luga and Lower Luga jěm, jěsć.
In conclusion, I will briefly talk about lunch as a meal. As a rule, it happens the second or third in a day. It follows either the first or second breakfast and is the most plentiful. Usually hot food is served during lunch. In time, this meal in most countries is between 12 and 15 o'clock, if it takes place in the office. In everyday life, this is most often the time between 13 and 14 hours. In some cases, lunch falls in the evening and replaces dinner.
