They only had one pot so they cooked the meal together with whatever ingredients they happened to have that day. The term comes from a time when groups of Irish women would gather together and cook dinner. Everyone participating brought a dish for all to share. To the Irish, a potluck was a meal with no particular menu. The sense 'communal meal, where guests bring their own food', appears to have originated in the late 19th century or early 20th century US, particularly in the Western United States, either by influence from potlatch or possibly by extension of traditional sense of 'luck of the pot'. Send us feedback about these examples.The word pot-luck appears in 16th century England, in the work of Thomas Nashe, and was there used to mean 'food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest, the luck of the pot'. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potluck.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 Cooking in our favorite 9-by-13-inch casserole dishes allows for plenty of leftovers, easy transport to potlucks, and effortless cleanup since everything is baked in just one pan. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2023 This recipe is designed to make two dozen bars, plenty to take to your next holiday potluck. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2023 The Senior Citizen’s Program for the North Slope Elders invited organizations throughout the community to host a potluck on the last Friday of every month. Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2023 Pack them up and take them to your next potluck-they’re sure to be an instant hit. 2023 The perfect potluck accessory There’s always a cook whom everybody wants at their potluck dinner. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Nov.

These bright, no-bake cookies are adored by all and famously make their appearance at church potlucks. 2023 Get The Recipe 27 of 40 Cathedral Window Cookies Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 15 Nov.

2023 Heading into this season of feasts, potlucks and buffets, there is no better time to clear up misconceptions about this important guideline, and offer practical tips for keeping your food safe to eat. Angela Brassinga, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. Recent Examples on the Web Spiced nuts are also a great hostess gift or potluck dinner contribution.

Potluck or pot luck