Definition of the word box lunch

The term "box lunch" is a commonly used expression in North American English to describe a pre-packaged meal that is typically sold as a convenience food for consumption outside the home or office environment. The exact origin of the phrase "box lunch" is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in the early 20th century as a result of the increasing popularity of lunchboxes or lunch containers. The first lunchboxes were introduced in the late 1800s for industrial workers to carry their meals to and from their places of employment. However, it was during the boom of construction and infrastructure development in the 1920s and 1930s that lunchboxes really took off, as they provided a practical and safe way for manual laborers to bring their lunches to work. By the 1940s and 1950s, lunchboxes had become a popular product for all types of people, and they came in a wide range of materials, sizes, and designs. The word "box lunch" is thought to have emerged during this time to describe meals that were packed in these containers and sold as convenience foods. The term has since become widely used in both the foodservice and retail industries, and it is now somewhat interchangeable with phrases like "takeout meal" or "portable meal." However, while the definition of a box lunch can vary depending on the context, it generally refers to a meal that is pre-packaged, pre-prepared, and designed to be easily transported and consumed away from home or office surroundings.