Definition of take away

The phrase "take away" originated in England during the 19th century as a colloquial expression used in reference to food. It was commonly used in the context of preparing and serving meals in restaurants and eateries. "Take away" initially referred to the practice of allowing customers to take their ordered food with them, rather than requiring them to dine in. This service became increasingly popular in urban areas where people had busy schedules and little time to sit down and eat a meal. The exact origin of the term "take away" is uncertain, but it is thought to have arisen from the concept of taking something away, or removing it, in this case, food from its traditional dining context. Some suggest that the phrase may have been influenced by the navigational term "take away," which refers to the distance that needs to be traveled to reach a specific destination. Over time, "take away" has become widely used and recognized as a term in culinary settings, and is now commonly associated with fast food and takeout meals. However, in some areas, particularly in the United States, the term "to go" is preferred instead. In summary, the origins of "take away" can be traced back to the 19th century when it first referred to the practice of allowing customers to take their ordered food with them from a restaurant or eatery. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have arisen from the concept of removing something, in this case, food from its traditional dining context.