Potluck

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For other uses, see Pot luck (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Potlatch.
An assorted spread of different dishes at a potluck in Alberta, Canada

A potluck is a communal gathering where each guest or group contributes a different, often homemade, dish of food to be shared.

Other names for a "potluck" include: potluck dinner, pitch-in, shared lunch, spread, faith supper, carry-in dinner,[1] covered-dish-supper,[2] fuddle, dish party, Jacob's Join,[3] bring a plate,[4] pot-providence and fellowship meal.

Etymology

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The first known use of the term is from the late 16th century, likely from the words pot and luck.[5]

Description

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Various Korean dishes at a potluck

Potluck dinners are events where attendees bring a dish to a meal.[6] The only traditional rule is that each dish be large enough to be shared among a good portion of the anticipated guests. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "carry-in dinner". Dictionary of American Regional English.
  2. ^ "Definition of COVERED-DISH SUPPER". www.merriam-webster.com.
  3. ^ "World Wide Words: Jacob's Join". www.worldwidewords.org.
  4. ^ "What does it mean when you're asked to 'bring a plate'?". Food. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  5. ^ "potluck, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Potluck Dinner Party Rules for Both Host and Guest". Bon Appétit. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ Brown-Micko, Julie (30 October 2015). "Culinary Curiosities: What's the History of the Potluck". foodservicenews.net. Retrieved 2023-04-19.


Look up potluck in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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Look up potluck in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.