<P> The abbreviation lunch is taken from the more formal Northern English word luncheon , which is derived from the Anglo - Saxon word nuncheon or nunchin meaning ' noon drink ' . The term has been in common use since 1823 . The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED ) reports usage of the words beginning in 1580 to describe a meal that was eaten between more substantial meals . It may also mean a piece of cheese or bread . </P>
<P> The abbreviation lunch is taken from the more formal Northern English word luncheon , which is derived from the Anglo - Saxon word nuncheon or nunchin meaning ' noon drink ' . The term has been in common use since 1823 . The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED ) reports usage of the words beginning in 1580 to describe a meal that was eaten between more substantial meals . It may also mean a piece of cheese or bread . </P>
when did the word lunch start being used
when did the word lunch start being used
1823
1823