Where does the word lunch came from?

The word "lunch" has a fascinating history. It's believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "hvonn", which meant "a piece of bread" or "a small meal."

Here's a breakdown of its evolution:

1. Old Norse: "hvonn"

2. Middle English: "nonch," "nuncheon," or "nunchion" (meaning a small meal or snack)

3. Modern English: "lunch"

The term "nuncheon" specifically refers to a midday meal, which aligns with the modern definition of "lunch."

Interestingly, the "l" at the beginning of "lunch" was added later, possibly due to a mispronunciation or a desire to make the word sound more formal.