Definition of the word tiffin carrier

The term "tiffin carrier" originated in the British colonial era, specifically in India during the 19th century. The word "tiffin" itself is derived from the Urdu word "ṭīfīn," which means a light meal consumed between breakfast and dinner. In Indian society, serving and sharing meals is a common form of hospitality, and many professionals, particularly those working in offices, often pack their meals in a portable container called a dabba, which they carry with them. The dabbawalas, the individuals responsible for delivering these meals, earned the reputation of being among the world's most efficient logistics operations, known for their punctuality and error-free delivery. The term "tiffin carrier" was coined to describe a person employed by financial institutions, mostly British, to deliver pre-packed lunches (tiffin) to their staff working in offices in Bombay's business district. As the practice of carrying tiffin became more widespread, the term became adopted for anyone who delivers pre-packed meals, but outside of an office setting. In modern-day India, the term "tiffin carrier" is sometimes used interchangeably with "lunch box vendor," "tiffinwallah," or "dabbawala" to describe individuals running small-scale food businesses that deliver pre-packed meals to a customer's location, typically offices, homes, and schools. Some of these businesses operate at a larger scale, delivering meals to multiple locations through a network of delivery personnel, much like the famous dabbawalas of Mumbai.