Idiom
greasy spoon
Meaning
An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“We often grab a cheap breakfast at the local greasy spoon.”
“He works as a cook at a greasy spoon in the city center.”
“You can find the best pancakes at that little greasy spoon down the street.”
“After the long drive, we stopped at a greasy spoon for some coffee and eggs.”
“If you want a massive plate of bacon and fries without spending much money, that greasy spoon near the station is your best bet.”
“The truck drivers always recommend this greasy spoon because the portions are huge and the service is very fast.”
“Tucked away in the industrial district, the small greasy spoon served hearty meals to tired workers who appreciated the simple, no-frills menu.”
Examples
simple
“We often grab a cheap breakfast at the local greasy spoon.”
“He works as a cook at a greasy spoon in the city center.”
“You can find the best pancakes at that little greasy spoon down the street.”
contextual
“After the long drive, we stopped at a greasy spoon for some coffee and eggs.”
“If you want a massive plate of bacon and fries without spending much money, that greasy spoon near the station is your best bet.”
“The truck drivers always recommend this greasy spoon because the portions are huge and the service is very fast.”
complex
“Tucked away in the industrial district, the small greasy spoon served hearty meals to tired workers who appreciated the simple, no-frills menu.”
Origin
Attested in American English during the 1920s, the term originated as a description for a cheap restaurant or diner where hygiene was not the primary concern. The phrase identifies the establishment by the state of its cutlery, implying a layer of residual cooking fat that has survived the washing process.
Key words
Related idioms
- Updated