Definition of doggy bag

The term "doggy bag" originated in the United States in the mid-20th century, as a euphemism used by restaurants to offer patrons the option of taking home leftovers. The phrase is believed to have been coined by restaurant owners who wanted to make the request for takeaways more palatable to their customers. Initially, the phrase "doggy bag" was overtly derogatory, as "doggy" was once used as a pejorative term for people who were considered inferior or undesirable. In the early 1900s, the phrase "doggy box" was used by some restaurants to refer to leftovers, as they were considered unfit for human consumption. However, over time, the term "doggy bag" became less pejorative and more widely accepted. Today, it is a common phrase in the United States, and has even been adopted by other English-speaking countries, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. The etymology of the phrase "doggy bag" is unclear, and several theories have been suggested over the years. Some experts believe that the term originated from the practice of giving stale bread to working dogs as a way of providing them with sustenance. Other theories suggest that the phrase may have derived from the expression "dog in a bag," which referred to a cheap dish served in some lower-end restaurants. Regardless of its origins, the term "doggy bag" has come to be widely accepted as a polite and less stigmatizing way of requesting leftovers from a restaurant. It is a reflection of the evolving attitudes towards food waste and the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly practices in the hospitality industry.