You might want to beef up (excuse that little pun!) on lunch counter lingo in case you have the occasion to check out one of the old mom and pop hash houses or newer retro diners, so you can have a little fun with your waiter/waitress. Some of these definitions are sure to bring a smile, if not stir some memories. The following terms are just a sampling from The Dictionary of American Food & Drink by John F. Mariani (Hearst Books). Want more? Take a look at the expanded Lunch Counter Lingo Glossary.
• Adam and Eve on a raft: Two poached eggs on toast.
• baby, moo juice, Sweet Alice or cow juice: Milk.
• crowd: Three of anything (possibly from the old saying, "Two's company, three's a crowd").
• draw one: Coffee.
• fifty-five: A glass of root beer.
• gentleman will take a chance: Hash.
• groundhog: Hot dog.
• houseboat: A banana split, made with ice cream and sliced bananas.
• in the alley: Serve as a side dish.
• Mike and Ike or the twins: Salt and pepper shakers.
• Murphy: Potatoes, so called because of their association with the Irish diet of potatoes, Murphy being a common Irish name.
• Noah's boy: A slice of ham, because Ham was Noah's second son.
• wreck 'em: Scramble the eggs.
Diner Recipes
Here are some traditional and updated luncheonette specialties for you to try as you wax nostalgic about Lunch Counter Lingo. Can you figure out the recipe from the lingo? If not, refer to the Lunch Counter Lingo Glossary.Lunch Counter Lingo Recipes
• Bossy in a Bowl• Bowl of Red
• China
• Bullets
• Eve With a Lid On
• First Lady
• Fish Eyes
• Fly Cake
• Frenchman's Delight
• Gentleman Will Take A Chance
• Irish Turkey
• Warts
More About Lunch Counter Lingo and Classic Recipes:
• Breaking the Code: Definitions and Diner Recipes• Lunch Lingo - Diner Slang
• Lunch Counter and Diner History
• Lunch Counter Lingo Glossary
Cookbooks
| • | Remembering Woolworth's |
| • | The Dictionary of American Food and Drink |
| • | The New Food Lover's Companion |
| • | The New Food Lover's Tiptionary |
| • | More Cookbooks |
