When it comes to food and sustenance, language evolves just as quickly as culinary trends. In this listicle, we’ve gathered the top slang terms that foodies and trendsetters are using to describe their favorite eats. From “nom nom” to “hangry,” we’ve got you covered with the latest lingo to spice up your food conversations. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our mouth-watering selection of slang for sustenance!
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1. Grub
This word is a casual term for food, often used to refer to a meal or a snack. It is commonly used in informal settings or among friends.
- For example, “Let’s grab some grub before the movie.”
- A person might post on social media, “Just had the best grub at this new restaurant.”
- In a conversation about favorite foods, someone might say, “Pizza is my go-to grub.”
2. Chow
This slang term is derived from the Chinese word “chao” meaning cooked rice or food. It is often used to refer to a meal or food in general, especially in a military or informal context.
- For instance, a soldier might say, “Let’s go grab some chow at the mess hall.”
- In a restaurant review, someone might write, “The chow at this place is top-notch.”
- A person discussing their favorite cuisines might say, “I love Asian chow, especially sushi.”
3. Eats
This slang term is a shortened form of the word “food” and is used to refer to a meal or food in general. It is commonly used in informal settings or among friends.
- For example, “I’m starving! Let’s find some good eats.”
- A person might post a picture of their meal on social media with the caption, “Check out these delicious eats.”
- In a conversation about cooking, someone might say, “I love experimenting with different eats in the kitchen.”
4. Nosh
This term is derived from Yiddish and is used to refer to a light meal or snack. It is commonly used in informal settings or among food enthusiasts.
- For instance, “I’m just going to grab a quick nosh before the meeting.”
- A person might recommend a restaurant by saying, “They have the best nosh in town.”
- In a discussion about healthy snacking, someone might say, “I always keep some nutritious nosh in my bag.”
5. Fare
This word is a general term for food, often used to refer to a specific type of cuisine or a meal in a particular context. It can also refer to the cost of transportation.
- For example, “Let’s try some authentic Italian fare tonight.”
- A person might post a picture of their plate on social media with the caption, “Enjoying some delicious fare at this new restaurant.”
- In a conversation about travel, someone might say, “The local fare in that country was amazing.”
6. Slop
This term refers to food that is messy or unappetizing in appearance. It can also be used to describe food that is of low quality or poorly prepared.
- For example, “The cafeteria serves slop for lunch every day.”
- Someone might say, “I don’t want to eat that slop, it looks disgusting.”
- A person describing a bad meal might say, “The restaurant served us slop for dinner.”
7. Chow down
This phrase means to eat a meal quickly and with enthusiasm. It implies a hearty appetite and enjoyment of the food.
- For instance, “Let’s chow down on this pizza before it gets cold.”
- Someone might say, “I’m so hungry, I could chow down on a whole burger.”
- A person describing a feast might say, “We chowed down on a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.”
8. Munchies
This term refers to a strong craving or desire for snack food, especially after smoking marijuana. It is often associated with increased appetite and a preference for salty or sweet snacks.
- For example, “After smoking, I always get the munchies and raid the pantry.”
- Someone might say, “I have a case of the munchies, let’s order some pizza.”
- A person describing their late-night snacking habits might say, “I always get the munchies before bed.”
9. Vittles
This term is a colloquial way of referring to food or provisions. It is often used in a playful or nostalgic manner.
- For instance, “Let’s gather some vittles for our picnic.”
- Someone might say, “I’m going to the store to pick up some vittles for dinner.”
- A person describing a meal might say, “We had a feast of delicious vittles.”
10. Sustenance
This term refers to the act of providing nourishment or the food itself. It emphasizes the importance of food for sustaining life.
- For example, “We need sustenance to survive in the wilderness.”
- Someone might say, “I’m feeling weak, I need some sustenance.”
- A person describing a satisfying meal might say, “That dinner provided the perfect sustenance for our long hike.”
11. Rations
Rations refer to a fixed allowance of food or supplies, typically given to soldiers or people in times of scarcity. It can also be used to describe a limited amount of food or supplies available to someone.
- For example, during a camping trip, someone might say, “Make sure to bring enough rations for the weekend.”
- In a survival situation, someone might ration their food to make it last longer.
- A soldier might receive their daily rations while stationed in a remote area.
12. Fuel
In slang terms, “fuel” can be used to refer to food or sustenance that provides energy or nourishment.
- For instance, someone might say, “I need some fuel before I hit the gym.”
- A person discussing their breakfast choices might say, “I like to start my day with a healthy fuel.”
- In a conversation about long work days, someone might mention, “Coffee is my fuel to get through the day.”
13. Grubbery
Grubbery is a slang term used to describe a place where food is served or sold. It can refer to a restaurant, café, or any food establishment.
- For example, someone might say, “Let’s go to that new grubbery downtown for lunch.”
- A person recommending a place to eat might say, “You should try that grubbery on the corner, they have amazing burgers.”
- In a conversation about finding a quick meal, someone might suggest, “There’s a grubbery around the corner where we can grab a bite.”
14. Grubstake
Grubstake is a term used to describe financial support or assistance given to someone for the purpose of obtaining food or sustenance. It can also refer to a stake or investment made in a business or venture related to food.
- For instance, someone might say, “My parents gave me a grubstake to help me get started in the food truck business.”
- In a discussion about supporting local farmers, someone might mention, “I believe in providing a grubstake to help sustain local agriculture.”
- A person talking about their start-up restaurant might say, “We received a grubstake from a generous investor to help us get off the ground.”
15. Chow time
Chow time is a slang term used to refer to mealtime or the designated time to eat. It can be used in various contexts to indicate when food is served or when it’s time to eat.
- For example, someone might say, “It’s chow time, let’s gather around the table.”
- In a military setting, a sergeant might announce, “Chow time in 10 minutes, line up for your meals.”
- A parent might call out to their children, “Chow time, come downstairs for dinner.”
16. Eateries
This term is used to refer to a variety of places where people can eat, such as restaurants, cafes, diners, and food stalls.
- For example, “Let’s try out some new eateries in town this weekend.”
- A food critic might write, “This city is known for its diverse eateries offering cuisine from around the world.”
- A person discussing their travel experiences might say, “I discovered some hidden gem eateries during my trip to Italy.”
17. Chow hall
This slang term is commonly used in military or prison contexts to refer to the place where meals are served.
- For instance, a soldier might say, “Let’s meet at the chow hall for lunch.”
- In a conversation about prison life, someone might mention, “The chow hall is where you see everyone from different cell blocks.”
- A person sharing their experiences in the military might say, “The chow hall was always a place for camaraderie and sharing stories.”
18. Munch
This slang term is used to describe the act of eating or consuming food, especially in a casual or nonchalant manner.
- For example, “I’m feeling hungry, let’s munch on some pizza.”
- A person describing their snacking habits might say, “I love to munch on chips while watching movies.”
- A friend might ask, “Wanna munch on some burgers at the new joint?”
19. Bite
This term is used to refer to a small amount of food that can be bitten or eaten in one mouthful.
- For instance, “I just need a quick bite before we head out.”
- Someone might say, “Try this bite of the delicious cake I made.”
- A person discussing their diet might mention, “I’m trying to control my portions, so I only take small bites.”
20. Snack attack
This term is used to describe a sudden and intense desire or craving for snacks or junk food.
- For example, “I had a snack attack in the middle of the night and raided the pantry.”
- A person discussing their unhealthy eating habits might say, “I often give in to snack attacks and end up eating a lot of junk food.”
- A friend might ask, “Do you ever get snack attacks? What’s your go-to snack?”
21. Grub up
This phrase is commonly used to mean “to eat a meal” or “to have food”. It is often used in informal settings or among friends.
- For example, “Hey, let’s grub up before we head out.”
- Someone might say, “I’m starving. Let’s grub up at that new restaurant.”
- In a casual conversation, one might ask, “Have you grubbed up yet?”
22. Chowder
Chowder is a type of soup that is typically thick and creamy, often made with seafood, potatoes, and other ingredients. It is a popular dish in coastal regions.
- For instance, “I had a delicious bowl of clam chowder for lunch.”
- A person might say, “I love New England-style chowder with lots of seafood.”
- In a restaurant review, one might write, “The corn chowder at this place is to die for.”
23. Gruel
Gruel is a type of porridge that is thin and watery in consistency. It is often made by boiling grains or cereal in water or milk. It is commonly associated with poor or meager meals.
- For example, “In the olden days, people would eat gruel when they couldn’t afford anything else.”
- A person might say, “I had to eat gruel for breakfast because I ran out of cereal.”
- In a historical context, one might discuss, “Gruel was a common food during times of famine or hardship.”