menu etymology

Etymology

The word "menu" comes from the French word "menu", meaning "small". It is derived from the Latin word "minutus", meaning "small" or "fine".

Meaning

A menu is a list of food and drinks available to order at a restaurant or other food establishment. It typically includes the names of the dishes, their prices, and sometimes a brief description.

Origin

The concept of a written menu originated in France in the 18th century. Before this, food orders were typically given orally to the server. The first known printed menu was created in 1765 by the Palais Royal restaurant in Paris.

Initially, menus were only used at high-end restaurants. However, they gradually became more common in other establishments throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, menus are an essential part of the dining experience and are used in various settings, including restaurants, cafes, and even fast-food chains.

menu relate terms

  • miniver

    Etymology The word miniver is derived from the Old French word menu vair which means

  • menu

    Etymology The word menu comes from the French word menu meaning small It is deriv

  • vair

    Etymology Old French vair Medieval Latin varius Latin varius meaning changeable o

  • administer

    Etymology Latin administrare From ad toward ministrare to serve Meaning

  • administration

    Etymology Latin administratio From Latin ad to ministrare to serve Meani

  • comminute

    Etymology Late Latin comminūtus broken into pieces past participle of comminuere to

  • diminish

    Etymology Old French demenische Medieval Latin deminuo Latin deminuere de remove

  • meiosis

    Etymology The word meiosis comes from the Greek word μείωσις meiosis which m

  • Menshevik

    Etymology The term Menshevik is derived from the Russian word меньшевик me

  • menu

    Etymology The word menu comes from the French word menu meaning small It is deriv

  • metier

    Etymology French métier Latin ministerium service Meaning A trade or occupa

  • mince

    Etymology Old French amincier mencier Ultimately from Latin minuere meaning to dimin

  • minestrone

    Etymology The word minestrone comes from the Italian word minestra meaning soup

  • minim

    Etymology The word minim is derived from the Latin word minimus meaning smallest

  • minimum

    Etymology 16th century from Latin minimus superlative of minor smaller Mea

  • minister

    Etymology The word minister is derived from the Latin word minister which means at

  • ministration

    Etymology Latin ministerium from minister servant Meaning 1 The act of administeri

  • ministry

    Etymology The word ministry comes from the Latin word ministerium which means serv

  • minor

    Etymology The word minor originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective

  • minuend

    Etymology Latin minuendus Meaning A minuend is a number from which another number

  • minuet

    Etymology The word minuet derives from the French word menuet which in turn is like

  • minus

    Etymology The word minus comes from the Latin word minuere which means to make less

  • minuscule

    Etymology The word minuscule derives from the Latin word minusculus which means ver

  • minute

    Etymology The word minute has its roots in the Latin word minutus meaning small o

  • minutia

    Etymology The word minutia originates from Latin and has the following etymology Mi

  • Miocene

    Etymology The name Miocene comes from the Greek words meion meaning less and ka

  • mite

    Etymology The word mite comes from the Old English word mite which in turn is deriv

  • mystery

    Etymology The word mystery comes from the Late Latin word mysterium which in turn co

  • nimiety

    Etymology The word nimiety originates from the Latin word nimietas which means exce

  • fare

    Etymology The word fare comes from the Old English word fær which means a journey

  • card

    Etymology The word card derives from the Latin word charta which originally meant

  • minnow

    Etymology The word minnow is derived from the Middle English word menue meaning sma

  • minuet

    Etymology The word minuet derives from the French word menuet which in turn is like

  • Spam

    Etymology The term spam is a portmanteau of spiced ham a canned meat product sold b

  • pizza

    Etymology The word pizza originates from the Greek word pitta which refers to flatb

  • cover

    Etymology Origin of the Word Middle English coveren cover from the Old French covr

  • schedule

    Etymology Old French eschedual Latin schedula Greek schedē a writing tablet Mea

  • list

    Etymology The word list has several etymologies Old English liste meaning a bord

  • silt

    Etymology The word silt comes from the Middle English word sylt which in turn may d