“Meal”: where does it come from and when is it used?

Created: 09/29/2022, 07:30

By: Carina Blumenroth

You use the salutation “meal” around lunchtime in the company.

© Katharina, Ekaterina/Imago

At lunchtime in the office or in the canteen - many employees in Germany greet each other with the word "Mahlzeit".

The phrase “meal” is particularly common in companies and businesses.

The word actually comes from clergymen wishing for a "Blessed Meal" before eating.

In the 19th century, the phrase was shortened to "meal", and it hasn't changed much since then.

In which situations you can say meal, read below.

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Meal - whether in the canteen or in the office

Hardly anyone says the term "meal" at home - in the office, the greeting to colleagues is now common.

As a greeting you can usually use "meal" between half past eleven and half past one.

Depending on the context, some associate this with indirectly asking a colleague to go to the canteen.

However, that is rarer.

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You can say that back at meal

Of course it depends on the situation you are in and who is there.

Basically, you can reply the following to "meal":

• Repeat: meal

• Likewise / also so / likewise

• Hi good afternoon

• Bon appétit / Bon appetit

So there are a number of ways in which you can react appropriately to a “meal”.

Basically, "meal" is common among colleagues - but this formulation may be too flippant to your superior.