[Ads-l] 2nd try: Query from reporter concerning restaurant term "check"

Cohen, Gerald Leonard gcohen at MST.EDU
Wed Aug 3 22:34:02 UTC 2022


My thanks to those who have brainstormed on restaurant "check," some in private messages.
Here now is one definition of "check" (noun #1) in OED3:
"14. A means to ensure accuracy, correctness, security from fraud, etc."

This seems to fit well with the 1901 newspaper article presented by Peter Reitan, in which
restaurant proprietors have to be on the lookout for dishonest customers.

Gerald Cohen

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


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