Tiffin
Definition
Noun
1. (British, India) A light midday meal or snack.
2. (India) A stackable round, metal box or container used to carry lunch to workers in India. Similar boxes are used to contain lunch in many parts of Asia.
3. (England) A cake-like confection composed of crushed biscuits, sugar, syrup, raisins, cherries, and cocoa powder, often covered in a layer of melted chocolate.
In India bicyclists deliver stacks of tiffins (def. 2) containing their tiffin (def. 1) to workers daily.
In England, tiffin (def. 3) may be the highlight of a light luncheon.
Word Origin
First recorded in the early 1800s, apparently tiffin is derived from the English word tiffing, present particle of the slang verb tiff (to take a small drink)
Tiffin may also be used as a verb meaning “to eat a light midday meal or snack.
Background
During the British Raj (rule in India), British afternoon tea merged with the Indian custom of a light afternoon meal which became known as tiffin.
In India, people who sell pre-packed tiffins for lunch are called tiffin wallahs or dabbawallahs.
