Spread
Meaning: A large, impressive display of food laid out for a gathering.
When Americans say 'what a spread!' they mean there's an impressive array of food laid out — think a holiday buffet, a Super Bowl snack table, or a catered event. A 'spread' implies abundance, variety, and generosity. 'She put out quite a spread' is high praise for a host.
Examples
- Wow, look at this spread — there must be ten different dishes on the table! 哇,看看这一桌子菜——桌上得有十道菜吧!¡Madre mía, vaya festín! ¡Debe de haber diez platos distintos en la mesa!わぁ、このごちそう見て——テーブルに10品以上あるよ!와, 이 진수성찬 좀 봐——테이블에 열 가지 넘는 요리가 있어!
- She always puts out an amazing spread for the holidays. 她每次过节都会准备一大桌丰盛的菜。Ella siempre prepara un festín increíble para las fiestas.彼女はいつもホリデーに素晴らしいごちそうを用意する。그녀는 항상 명절에 대단한 진수성찬을 차려.
- The Super Bowl spread had wings, sliders, nachos, and three kinds of dip. 超级碗派对上摆了鸡翅、迷你汉堡、玉米片和三种蘸酱。El despliegue del Super Bowl tenía alitas, mini hamburguesas, nachos y tres tipos de salsa.スーパーボウルのごちそうにはウィング、スライダー、ナチョス、3種類のディップがあった。슈퍼볼 음식에는 윙, 슬라이더, 나초, 그리고 세 종류의 딥이 있었어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: parties, holidays, gatherings, entertaining
Tone: impressed, appreciative
✓ Do Say
- What a spread!好丰盛的一桌菜啊!¡Menudo festín!すごいごちそうだね!이 진수성찬 좀 봐!
- She put out quite a spread for the party.她为这次聚会准备了一大桌好菜。Preparó todo un banquete para la fiesta.彼女はパーティーにすごいごちそうを用意したね。파티에 대단한 음식을 차려놨네.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't call a meager amount of food a 'spread' sarcastically — the host will notice and feel bad不要讽刺地把少得可怜的食物称为'spread'——主人会注意到并且会不开心No llames 'spread' a una cantidad escasa de comida de forma sarcástica — el anfitrión se dará cuenta y se sentirá mal少量の料理を皮肉って「spread」と呼ばないこと——ホストは気づいて傷つく변변찮은 양의 음식을 빈정대며 'spread'라고 부르지 말 것——주인이 알아채고 기분 나빠한다
Origin & History
From the verb 'to spread' (to lay out). Used as a noun for a food display since at least the 19th century in American English. Connected to the American tradition of abundant hospitality and generous hosting.
Cultural Context
Era: 19th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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