greasy spoon

English

Etymology

American English, 1920s. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

greasy spoon (plural greasy spoons)

1. (idiomatic, informal) An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.

   Coordinate terms: caff, diner

   We found a good little greasy spoon down a side street.

   • 1985 December 14, Robert Storem, “The Dating Game”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 22, page 6:

     I find that most gay men love to cook for others but would rather visit any greasy spoon than eat by themselves.

   • 1995, Sam DeSanto, The American Standard, East African Publishers, →ISBN, page 55:

     From the highway, Phil's looked like any other greasy spoon inviting the weary traveler off the road for a little indigestion and a cup of coffee — the same red booths patched with black electrical tape and faded formica counters lined with chrome-sided stools, a glass pie pin near the cash register, and coffee served in thick white mugs.

   • 2008 January–February, “70 Ways to Improve Every Day of the Week”, in Men's Health, volume 23, number 1, →ISSN, page 135:

     Reward yourself for a week of healthful eating with breakfast at a greasy spoon. Nutritionists say an occasional cheat meal can make it easier to stick with a healthy diet.

Translations

inexpensive diner or restaurant

• Hungarian: kis koszos
• Latin: gānea f, gāneum n
• Portuguese: podrão m

See also

• hash slinger

Further reading

• greasy spoon on Wikipedia.Wikipedia