How do you use "Greasy spoon" in a sentence?

We ate at a greasy spoon. Best fry-ups are from greasy spoons. Local greasy spoon. Proper greasy spoon café.

Greasy spoon

Q: What does "Greasy spoon" mean?

A cheap café serving basic fried food A no-frills café serving cheap, filling fried food. Working-class institution. Usually serves fry-ups all day.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: A cheap café serving basic fried food

油腻小餐馆（卖廉价油炸食物的小店）

Cafetería barata (que sirve comida frita básica)

安食堂（基本的な揚げ物を出す安いカフェ）

싸구려 식당 (기본적인 튀김 음식을 파는 저렴한 카페)

A no-frills café serving cheap, filling fried food. Working-class institution. Usually serves fry-ups all day.

一家没有装饰、供应便宜、分量足的油炸食物的咖啡馆。工人阶级的机构。通常全天供应油煎早餐。

Una cafetería sin pretensiones que sirve comida frita barata y abundante. Institución de clase trabajadora. Generalmente sirve desayunos fritos todo el día.

安くてボリュームのある揚げ物を出す飾り気のないカフェ。労働者階級の定番。通常一日中揚げ物朝食を出す。

꾸밈없이 저렴하고 든든한 튀김 음식을 파는 카페. 노동자 계층의 대표적 식당. 보통 하루 종일 프라이 아침식사를 판다.

Examples

We ate at a greasy spoon.
我们在油腻小餐馆吃的。
Comimos en una cafetería barata.
安食堂で食べた。
싸구려 식당에서 먹었어.
Best fry-ups are from greasy spoons.
最好的油煎早餐来自油腻小餐馆。
Los mejores desayunos fritos son de las cafeterías baratas.
一番の揚げ物朝食は安食堂のもの。
최고의 프라이 아침식사는 싸구려 식당 것이지.
Local greasy spoon.
当地的油腻小餐馆。
La cafetería barata local.
地元の安食堂。
동네 싸구려 식당.
Proper greasy spoon café.
正宗的油腻小餐馆。
Una cafetería barata de verdad.
本物の安食堂。
진짜 싸구려 식당 카페.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡriːsi spuːn/

Usage Guide

Context: restaurants, cheap food, working-class

Tone: affectionate or critical

✓ Do Say

Greasy spoon.
油腻小餐馆
Cafetería barata
安食堂
허름한 식당
Local greasy spoon.
当地油腻小餐馆
La cafetería barata local
地元の安食堂
동네 허름한 식당
Good greasy spoon.
好的油腻小餐馆
Buena cafetería barata
いい安食堂
괜찮은 허름한 식당

✗ Don't Say

Can be affectionate or critical
可以是亲切的也可以是批评的
Puede ser cariñoso o crítico
愛情込めても批判的にも使える
애정 어린 표현일 수도, 비판적 표현일 수도 있음
Tone determines meaning
语气决定含义
El tono determina el significado
トーンで意味が決まる
어조에 따라 의미가 달라짐

Common Mistakes

Often used affectionately despite name
Not necessarily an insult

Origin & History

From the greasy utensils and food. American origin but widely used in British English.

Etymology: From greasy cooking/utensils

First recorded: American origin, adopted British 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working-class associations

Pop culture: British café culture; Working-class dining

Regional notes: Universal in English. Can be affectionate or dismissive.

Variations

Greasy spoonGreasy spoon caféThe greasy spoon