A Potluck: Everyone Brings Food
Key Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| potluck | a meal where many people bring food | We have a potluck at work. |
| guest | a person who comes to an event or another person's home | Each guest brings some food. |
| host | the person who invites or welcomes people | The host puts plates on the table. |
| dish | food prepared in one way and served as part of a meal | I bring a rice dish. |
| share | to use, have or give something together with other people | We share the food at the table. |
Article
A potluck is a meal with a group. Each guest can bring food. One person may bring rice. Another may bring salad. Another may bring cake.
The host gives people a place to meet. The host may also make one dish. Then everyone puts the food on a table and can share it.
A potluck can have many kinds of food. People often do not know every dish before the meal starts. This can make the table fun and different.
Potlucks are used at some churches, schools, offices and community events in the United States. The Smithsonian has also used old potluck menus to learn about American food in the 1950s and 1960s. [1][2]
Some older recipes used food from cans or boxes because it was easy and fast to make. People could make food before a party and have more time with their guests. [1][2]
A guest does not need to make something expensive. The important idea is that many people help with one meal.
At the end, the table may have food from many homes. A potluck can be a simple way to eat, talk and spend time together.
Discussion Questions
- What dish can you bring to a potluck?
- What food do you like to share with friends?
- Who is a good host in your family or group?
- What food is easy to bring to a party?
- What do people eat together at community events in your country?
References
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History, "Postwar potluck: Grilling out, convenience cooking, and other 1950s food trends."
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History, "More time for the party: A 1960s make-ahead potluck."
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History, "100 Civic Actions."