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brown bag. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
brown bag, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
brown bag in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
brown bag you have here. The definition of the word
brown bag will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
brown bag, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
(presentation): From the brown paper bag traditionally used to carry one's own lunch from home.
Pronunciation
Noun
brown bag (plural brown bags)
- A brown paper bag.
- (idiomatic) A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
Did you attend the brown bag Tuesday on healthy exercise habits?
1994 November 6, William Goss, “Interning For Pleasure And Profit”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:So what student would choose to work in Washington for zero compensation, with benefits listed as "brown-bags," "farewell reception" and "athletic and service opportunities"?
Usage notes
Particularly in US English, paperbag and brown bag both appear in a variety of idiomatic expressions concerning butterfaces, people considered attractive apart from their face.
Derived terms
Verb
brown bag (third-person singular simple present brown bags, present participle brown bagging, simple past and past participle brown bagged)
- To carry one's lunch from home, as in a bag, rather than purchase it from a cafeteria or restaurant.
- To consume alcohol in public from the bottle or can, while it is held concealed inside a brown paper bag, so as to avoid attention e.g. from the police.
- (agriculture) To plant seed saved from one's own harvest, as opposed to buying new seed from a seed company.
See also