picnicn.adj.adv.
/ˈpɪknɪk/, U.S. /ˈpɪkˌnɪk/ A. n.
1. † b. Something which has multiple contributors or sources; a miscellany, a collection, an anthology. by picnic (rare): by means of a contribution from each member. Obsolete.
a. Originally: †a fashionable social event at which each guest contributed a share of the food (obsolete). Now: an informal meal eaten out of doors, esp. as part of an excursion to the countryside, coast, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [noun]
picnic1748
tea-treatc1748
a kettle of fish1791
scram1831
picnic meal1839
box supper1851
basket-meeting1859
picnic lunch1865
picnic tea1869
school feast1879
basket picnic1882
box lunch1889
basket dinner1892
basket lunch1905
packed lunch1906
sack lunch1972
brown-bag lunch1976
the world > food and drink > food > meal > feast > [noun] > feast with contributions
shot1519
picnic1748
knick-knacka1777
pitch-in1989
1748 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 29 Oct. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1255 I like the description of your pic-nic [in Germany; 1774 Pic-nic], where I take it for granted that your cards are only to break the formality of a circle.
c1800 E. C. Knight Autobiogr. I. 45 We stayed here [i.e. at Toulon] till the 17th [Feb. 1777] and on the previous day went to a ‘pique-nique’ at a little country house not far from the town.
1807 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life II. xv. 38 She's so full of Fête, and Pic-nic and Opera.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iii. iv. 41 Nature had intended the spot for pic nics.
1859 E. C. Gaskell Fear for Future in Fraser's Mag. Feb. We were very happy, with our summer picnics and our winter card-playing.
1890 Otago Witness (Dunedin, N.Z.) 23 Jan. 41 The annual school picnic at Dunrobin took place on the 3rd inst.
1909 Daily Chron. 10 Mar. 9/1 After all, what is a picnic? An amusement which mainly consists in an inadequate supply of crockery and making one's own tea.
1958 F. Copeland Land between: Middle East ix. 99 No picnic is complete without a special salad called tabbouleh.
2004 Advertiser (Adelaide) (Nexis) 17 Sept. 40 There is a wealth of..trails which are perfect for a pleasant family ride where you can stop for a picnic along the way.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [phrase] > by contributions
by picnic1803
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > a contribution > containing contributions from everyone
picnic1803
1803 Pic Nic 8 Jan. 1/1 The title of Pic Nic, given to this Paper, is used in the sense applied to it by a neighbouring Nation, signifying a Repast supplied by Contribution; and to this Miscellany all persons of genius and talent are invited to contribute.
1818 J. Keats Let. Dec. (1958) II. 13 Perhaps as you were fond of giving me sketches of character you may like a little pic nic of scandal.
1832 Examiner 324/2 A sort of pasticcio, made up apparently by picnic from the portmanteaus of the performers.
1836 (title) Pic Nics from the Dublin Penny Journal, being a selection from the legends, tales, and stories of Ireland, which have appeared in the published volumes.
2. A member of the Pic-Nic Society; the society itself. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > specific societies or organizations > [noun] > convivial > member of
Sirenaic1616
lumber-trooperc1742
picnic1802
picnickian1802
1802 J. Gillray Caricature 2 Apr. in T. Wright Wks. J. Gillray (plate facing p. 288) Blowing up the Pic Nic's:—or—Harlequin Quixotte attacking the Puppets.
1830 H. Angelo Reminisc. II. 5 General A...was the most prominent pic-nic of our dramatis personae.
1878 W. H. Husk in G. Grove Dict. Music I. 82 A fashionable association termed the Pic-nics, who had burlettas, vaudevilles and ballets on a small scale performed there.
1944 F. D. Klingender Hogarth & Eng. Caricature 44 The Pic-Nics were a fashionable amateur society producing musical and dramatic entertainments.
1978 S. Rosenfeld Temples of Thespis i. 12 The first amateur dramatic society..was the famous Pic Nic..which gave performances..in 1802 and 1803.
3. colloquial (originally U.S.).
a. A pleasant or enjoyable occasion, experience, etc.; something easy or straightforward (esp. in comparison with something else), a pushover.
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the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun] > that which is easy
ball play?c1225
child's gamec1380
boys' play1538
walkover1861
picnic1870
pudding1884
cakewalk1886
pie1886
cinch1888
snipa1890
pushover1891
pinch1897
sitter1898
pipe1902
five-finger exercise1903
duck soup1912
pud1917
breeze1928
kid stuff1929
soda1930
piece of cake1936
doddle1937
snack1941
stroll1942
piece of piss1949
waltz1968
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [noun] > pleasant experience
time1509
jucundity1620
pleasantry1692
rose colour1828
picnic1870
upbeat1950
1870 J. J. McCloskey & O. D. Byron Across Continent in L. Grover et al. Davy Crockett & Other Plays (1940) 81 Oh, wouldn't that fellow be a picnic for me!
1886 Lantern (New Orleans) 27 Oct. 6/1 Hanley sparred with a smile on his face much as to say, ‘What a picnic I've got with this kid.’
1891 R. Kipling Head of District in Life's Handicap 125 A knot of furious brother officers demanding the court-martial of Tommy Dodd for ‘spoiling the picnic’.
1909 ‘O. Henry’ Roads of Destiny xxii. 365 It was a picnic for the census takers. They just counted the marshal's posse that it took to subdue us, and there was your population.
1910 G. B. McCutcheon Truxton King ii. 29 The school-room, he confessed, was a ‘picnic’ compared to the ‘Room of Wrangles’.
1974 J. Stubbs Painted Face xxiii. 286 What do you know of prison? This here's a picnic compared to what it will be.
2004 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 28 May 17 The first intifada, which Oslo ended, was a picnic compared to the second, which Oslo engendered.
b. In negative contexts (esp. in no picnic, not a picnic).
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the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > that which is difficult > a difficult undertaking
no picnic1884
1884 Daily News (Frederick, Maryland) 2 Aug. It is not a picnic by any means to write up columns of ‘copy’ day after day and week after week.
1886 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 14 Dec. 2/4 He reports plenty of snow in the Simcoe mountains and herding no picnic at this time of year.
1888 R. Kipling Wee Willie Winkie 84 'Taint no bloomin' picnic in those parts I can tell you.
1926 J. Galsworthy Escape ii. iv. 50 If you want to get thin. It's a top-hole cure for adipose. An escape's no picnic.
1961 B. Fergusson Watery Maze xvi. 394 It was going to be no picnic co-ordinating land, sea and air forces from so many different points of departure at so many different speeds.
2004 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 26 July 3 The second-innings demon, Harmison, will make sure batting is not a picnic for the West Indies today.
c. Australian and New Zealand (ironic). A hard time; a source of trouble. Now rare.
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the world > action or operation > difficulty > types of difficulty > [noun] > difficulty, trouble, or bother
clondc1275
businessa1387
adoc1400
importunityc1475
fatigue1669
bother1761
botherment1821
picnic1896
palaver1899
hassle1959
1896 in E. E. Morris Austral Eng. (1898) 351/1 If a man's horse is awkward and gives him trouble, he will say, ‘I had a picnic with that horse,’ and so of any misadventure or disagreeable experience in travelling.
1904 S. E. White Blazed Trail Stories i. i. 15 Even old Tim Shearer would have a picnic to make out just where the key-logs are.
1939 N. Marsh Overture to Death xiii. 125 I'm sorry to have neglected you like this; but we're in for a picnic, and no mistake, with this case up at Moorton Park.
1955 D. Niland Shiralee 38 All I know is I'm going to have one helluva picnic if she doesn't find it.
1959 N. Cato Time, Swiftly Flow 122 She's going to be a picnic this trip.
1988 D. McGill Dict. Kiwi Slang 83 Picnic problem; ironic, reversal of what is usually a pleasant occasion; eg ‘If you take the boat out in that weather, mate, it's your picnic.’
4. North American. A small cut of meat taken from the shoulder and upper foreleg of a pig, and often smoked; = picnic ham n. at Compounds 2.Contrasted with butt n.6 5(a).
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the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > pork > [noun] > ham
gammon?1521
skink1630
ham1650
schinkel1654
jambon1655
bacon-ham1796
schinken1848
Yorkshire ham1849
prosciutto crudo1855
picnic ham1890
prosciutto1891
York ham1897
Bradenham1906
short-cut1906
Prague ham1909
picnic1910
Parma ham1937
Black Forest1961
1910 L. D. Hall Market Classes Meat 281 Picnics or calas (formerly termed California hams) are cut 2-½ ribs wide... They..are sold almost entirely as sweet-pickled, smoked and boiled meats.
1949 New Harmony (Indiana) Times 5 Aug. 6/2 (advt.) Smoked Picnics, 3 to 5 lb. average lb. 45c.
1988 D. MacCarthy Prodfact 88 27 The fore (or shoulder) is divided into the collar and hock (may also be known as butt and picnic) and these are normally sold as bacon joints.
2003 Herald-Sun (Durham, N. Carolina) (Nexis) 8 Oct. e1 Look for whole smoked picnics for just 69 cents per pound.
B. adj. (attributive).
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a picnic; (now esp.) befitting a picnic, relaxed, convivial.In early use: spec. †made up of components contributed by several individuals (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [adjective] > relating to or of nature of contribution
picnic1802
contributory1836
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [adjective]
picnic1802
Gypsy1816
picnicking1842
picnic-ish1854
picnicky1870
packed1906
brown bag1947
take-with1951
tailgate1970
1802 Britannic Mag. 9 251/2 ‘What fortune does Old Scrape give his daughter?’ ‘What? Why, a pic-nic one.’
1807 Director I. 267 A pic-nic conversation, where each contributes in his turn from his stores of reading and observation.
1818 J. Bentham Church-of-Englandism 81 [The history] of the pic-nic formation of this Creed by its putative fathers the Apostles, may be found in their proper places.
1871 V. Lush Jrnl. 14 June (1975) 111 It seems that the ‘upper ten thousand’ have commenced a series of ‘Pic-nic Balls’.
1905 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 13 Oct. 9/1 The [Kingston] Athenæum's tendency is to be too popular and pretty—a sort of literary institution with a picnic atmosphere.
1930 A. Pound & R. E. Day Johnson of Mohawks xxix. 310 These hardy voyagers, accustomed to forlorn hopes and desperate enterprises, set forth in a picnic mood on the long, risky journey.
1994 Outdoor Canada Summer 57/2 I wanted a place that would offer easy fishing for the kids and a picnic atmosphere.
In the manner of a picnic; spec. impromptu, informally. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [adverb]
picnic1803
1803 J. Davis Trav. U.S.A. 176 A sum that may enable him to ask a friend to dine with him pic nic.
1815 F. Burney Let. 6 Mar. (1980) 119 I beg your kind aunt Charlotte to lodge and board you pick nick chez Elle.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
picnic basket n.
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the world > food and drink > food > container for food > [noun] > basket > picnic or packed lunch basket
prog-basket1835
picnic hamper1860
picnic basket1862
noon-basket1865
1862 Bury & Norwich Post 8 July 2/2 (advt.) Norgate's pic-nic basket, price 30s.
1995 Daily Tel. 30 Aug. 13/1 Picnic baskets that had once proudly held Scotch eggs and Cornish pasties were outmoded by cool bags filled with quiches and Ardennes paté.
picnic beaker n.
ΚΠ
1944 Times 11 July 2/6 The colourful picnic beakers you were able to buy before the war were made from a urea-formaldehyde plastic.
1990 Independent (Nexis) 15 Apr. 43 The boat sprang a leak with which Jane and I could only just keep pace, frantically baling with a couple of picnic beakers.
picnic hamper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > container for food > [noun] > basket > picnic or packed lunch basket
prog-basket1835
picnic hamper1860
picnic basket1862
noon-basket1865
1860 Freeman's Jrnl. (Dublin) 13 Sept. 2/7 The more provident of the excursionists had regaled themselves with the good things which had been provided on board for such as omitted the pic-nic hamper.
1995 FHM Sept. 102/3 I'd like to be taken by surprise—a spontaneous romp in the woods with a picnic hamper and champagne.
picnic meal n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [noun]
picnic1748
tea-treatc1748
a kettle of fish1791
scram1831
picnic meal1839
box supper1851
basket-meeting1859
picnic lunch1865
picnic tea1869
school feast1879
basket picnic1882
box lunch1889
basket dinner1892
basket lunch1905
packed lunch1906
sack lunch1972
brown-bag lunch1976
1839 C. M. Kirkland New Home xiii. 84 ‘The shady shadow of an umbrageous tree’..served for a canopy, and there the bony dame generally made a pic-nic meal.
1929 S. Ertz Galaxy xiii. 294 They had a picnic meal of bread and cheese and fruit and California wine.
1992 Harrowsmith Aug. 78/2 Whether we are canoeing, backpacking or driving cross-country to a family reunion, we try to plan picnic meals that satisfy basic nutritional demands.
picnic party n.
ΚΠ
1822 Times 30 Nov. 4 (heading) The Pic Nic Party.
1833 N. Amer. Rev. Oct. 493 Neither does any one take pleasure in being reminded of the sorrows of country lodgings and picnic parties.
1977 R. Barnard Blood Brotherhood vi. 61 The thought of some fearsome affray..came upon him with all the welcomeness of a thunderclap on a picnic party.
picnic pie n.
ΚΠ
1865 A. Trollope Can you forgive Her? II. xxx. 234 Cold chickens, picnic-pies, and the flying of champagne corks.
1911 G. Stratton-Porter Harvester xvi. 371 Big, fancy brick and frame things..gay as frosted picnic pie.
2000 Mirror (Nexis) 27 July 5 Their impressive menu included starters of prawn and asparagus mousse, followed by picnic pie and chicken drumsticks.
picnic shelter n.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > accommodation or lodging > [noun] > place of shelter > for picnickers
picnic shelter1926
1926 Bridgeport (Connecticut) Telegram 28 Apr. 6/2 New picnic shelters and benches, accommodating 1,500 persons have been erected in the grove.
1995 Focus on Conservation Summer 8/1 Picnic shelters are available for company or family picnics with early reservations recommended.
picnic site n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating place > [noun] > picnic place
picnic ground1858
picnic spot1870
picnic site1907
picnic area1920
1907 Lima (Ohio) Daily News 16 July The Lima and Toledo Traction Co. has many picnic sites and quiet country nooks along the way.
1994 Trav. Guide 1994 Newfoundland & Labrador 70/2 Picnic sites and a walking trail to the cobble beach are provided.
picnic spot n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating place > [noun] > picnic place
picnic ground1858
picnic spot1870
picnic site1907
picnic area1920
1870 Atlantic Monthly Apr. 417/1 Our train speeds away..to White Bear Lake (St. Paul's favorite picnic spot).
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren xii. 253 On Easter Day we usually pack a picnic lunch, including a hard boiled egg. When we reach the picnic spot we sit down and play at games.
1992 Holiday Which? Jan. 59/1 Along a rough dirt track, and enmeshed in undergrowth, the golden stone castle stands above a rocky gorge. It's an ideal picnic spot.
picnic station n.
ΚΠ
1863 R. Fortune Visits China & Japan i. 19 Day by day excursions were made... One of these was to a place called Epunga, a kind of picnic station amongst the hills.
2000 Dallas Morning News (Nexis) 24 Mar. n1 Visitors frequent the park for the baseball/softball fields, soccer field, batting cages, driving range, playground and picnic stations.
picnic stove n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > stove or cooker > [noun]
range1423
buccan1611
fire-range1668
stew-stove1727
screw-range1772
stew-hole1780
cooking stove1796
range stove1803
cooking range1805
cookstove1820
kitchener1829
gas range1853
cooker1860
gas cooker1873
Soyer's stove1878
hay-box1885
blazer1889
machine oven1890
paraffin stove1891
primus1893
electric cooker1894
electric range1894
Yukon stove1898
fireless cooker1904
picnic stove1910
pressure stove1914
Tommy cooker1915
rangette1922
Aga1931
barbecue1931
Rayburn1947
sigri1949
jiko1973
1910 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 20 Aug. 14/1 (headline) Picnic stoves are new.
1937 Hammond (Indiana) Times 1 July You can also fry and boil on this Sterno picnic stove.
1992 Outdoor Action (BNC) Oct. 8 We ended up buying a cheap gas picnic stove for which cartridges were sold everywhere.
picnic tea n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [noun]
picnic1748
tea-treatc1748
a kettle of fish1791
scram1831
picnic meal1839
box supper1851
basket-meeting1859
picnic lunch1865
picnic tea1869
school feast1879
basket picnic1882
box lunch1889
basket dinner1892
basket lunch1905
packed lunch1906
sack lunch1972
brown-bag lunch1976
1869 Hampshire Tel. & Sussex Chron. 19 June 3/4 At the conclusion..they partook of a pic-nic tea together.
1900 C. M. Yonge Mod. Broods xvi. 153 My mother wants you all to come up to picnic tea to see the foxgloves in the dell.
1990 M. Wesley Sensible Life (BNC) 136 We are joining the others; they've gone ahead with the picnic tea to the river.
C2.
picnic area n. an area, esp. in the countryside or beside a road, designated as suitable for picnics, and sometimes provided with tables, etc.
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the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating place > [noun] > picnic place
picnic ground1858
picnic spot1870
picnic site1907
picnic area1920
1920 Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune 28 Oct. There will..be a development of suitable camping and picnic areas, proper sanitary conveniences, pure drinking water [etc.].
1996 P. Godwin Mukiwa (1997) xix. 348 Patriotic whites drove out from Bulawayo at the weekend to clamber up the rock, and to braai their sausages in the little picnic area below.
picnic chair n. a (usually folding) chair suitable for use on a picnic.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [noun] > folding chair
beach chair1878
hammock chair1881
deckchair1884
camp-chair1885
Savonarola chair1887
Roorkee chair1905
safari chair1913
picnic chair1920
director's chair1922
Roorkee1936
transat1968
1920 Chron.-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 15 July (advt.) Canvas seat folding camp or picnic chairs—25c.
1975 ‘A. Hall’ Mandarin Cypher xvii. 233 One narrow bunk..cheap cardtable and picnic chair.
1997 Press-Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.) (Nexis) 3 July b3 The city advises people to bring portable radios, along with blankets and picnic chairs.
picnic ground n. = picnic area n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating place > [noun] > picnic place
picnic ground1858
picnic spot1870
picnic site1907
picnic area1920
1858 W. Simonds Whistler viii. 125 The party reached the picnic ground in good order.
1926 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 2 July 5/3 The streets were almost deserted save for those hastening toward some of these attractive picnic grounds.
2001 U.S. News & World Rep. 2 July 57/1 Pint-size two-way radios..are popping up on picnic grounds, theme parks, shopping malls, and on the highway.
picnic ham n. North American a small cut of meat taken from the shoulder and upper foreleg of a pig, and often smoked.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > pork > [noun] > ham
gammon?1521
skink1630
ham1650
schinkel1654
jambon1655
bacon-ham1796
schinken1848
Yorkshire ham1849
prosciutto crudo1855
picnic ham1890
prosciutto1891
York ham1897
Bradenham1906
short-cut1906
Prague ham1909
picnic1910
Parma ham1937
Black Forest1961
1890 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 27 Feb. Best Smoked Picnic Hams.
1955 F. G. Ashbrook Butchering xii. 203 It is probably better to allow the small 4-to 6-pound picnic hams 25 to 30 days in cure.
1994 Food & Wine Oct. 52/2 For another deliciously simple ham dish, try a whole smoked shoulder (picnic ham) braised in Madeira.
picnic lunch n. a lunch to be eaten outdoors; a packed lunch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [noun]
picnic1748
tea-treatc1748
a kettle of fish1791
scram1831
picnic meal1839
box supper1851
basket-meeting1859
picnic lunch1865
picnic tea1869
school feast1879
basket picnic1882
box lunch1889
basket dinner1892
basket lunch1905
packed lunch1906
sack lunch1972
brown-bag lunch1976
1865 M. E. Anderson Scenes in Hawaiian Islands & Calif. xv. 155 We..had a nice picnic lunch, sitting on the grass, with fern-leaves for plates.
1933 E. O'Neill Ah, Wilderness! i. 21 We're going to have a picnic lunch on Strawberry Island.
1989 M. Kramer Making Sense of Wine viii. 190 One of the simplest and most gratifying picnic lunches [is]..the Provençal sandwich called pan bagnat.
picnic luncheon n. = picnic lunch n.
ΚΠ
1855 Reynold's Newspaper 10 June 6/4 The basket was produced; its contents consisted of fruits cooled in ice, bottles of sherbet and wine:—and thus the pic-nic luncheon commenced.
1989 Jrnl. Amer. Hist. 76 132 The clubwomen attended to the social needs of the labor movement by hosting card parties, picnic luncheons, and masquerade balls.
picnic plate n. a plate (now usually of paper or plastic) suitable for use on a picnic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > setting table > table utensils > [noun] > table-vessels > dish or plate > other types of dish
spice-plate1391
pie plate1573
maple dish1637
cheese platea1665
supper dish1664
copperplate1665
reaming dish1712
paper plate1723
pickle leaf1762
pap-boat1782
supper1787
vegetable dish1799
well-dish1814
ice plate1820
pudding plate1838
tea plate1862
picnic plate1885
strawberry dish1941
1885 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 9 May (advt.) Picnic plates. Large, light, easily packed; 25c per dozen.
1911 Gettysburg (Pa.) Times 5 Oct. Each guest has a wooden picnic plate.
1996 Detroit News (Nexis) 14 Sept. d4 I immediately retrieve 10 plastic picnic plates... ‘This is my backup if we run out of paper plates’, I say.
Pic-Nic Society n. now historical a theatrical club founded in London in 1802, at whose meetings members brought their own contributions to meals.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > specific societies or organizations > [noun] > convivial
lumber-troop1745
The Senators1762
Pic-Nic Society1802
1802 W. Cutspear Dramat. Rights 45 I am not of the Pic-nic Society, therefore not a Pic-nickian. I only wish to prove that, if the Pic-nickians choose to have a Pic-nic supper, they have an undoubted right to do so.
1906 W. Nicholson Struggle for Free Stage London xi. 291 The Tottenham Concert Rooms, which had been the home of Colonel Greville's ‘Pic-Nic Society’, was converted into a circus in 1808.
1984 Times 8 Aug. 9/2 London's Picnic Society, whose members drew lots to decide who should bring what to their picnic meetings.
picnic supper n. †(a) a supper provided by contributions from each guest (obsolete); (b) an informal supper to be eaten out of doors.
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1802 Times 16 Mar. 3 A Pic-Nic Supper consists of a variety of dishes. The Subscribers to the entertainment have a bill of fare presented to them, with a number against each dish. The lot which he draws obliges him to furnish the dish marked against it.
1896 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 619/2 I was out to a picnic supper at the Army Headquarters at night, and didn't get home till later than usual.
1913 Coshocton (Ohio) Tribune 18 July Mrs. Ella Bell..entertained her children and grand-children with a picnic supper at the city park.
2000 A. B. Allen Independent Woman xii. 129 The Hoovers had planned to leave afterwards for their camp in Virginia, and a picnic supper had been packed in the car.
picnic table n. a table used, or suitable for use at a picnic (in later use usually collapsible); (also) a small hinged table in a car.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > other tables
dormant tablec1405
set board1512
chair-table1558
oyster table1559
brushing-table1575
stand board1580
table-chair1671
reading table1749
worktable1762
centre table1775
pier table1778
loo-table1789
screen table1793
social table1793
octoped1822
claw-table1832
bench table1838
mould1842
end table1851
pedestal table1858
picnic table1866
examining table1877
silver table1897
changing table1917
rent table1919
capstan table1927
conference table1928
tricoteuse1960
Parsons1962
overflow table1973
butcher's block1976
1866 Bristol Mercury 10 Mar. 4/1 In-door effects—..picnic tables, trussels and forms, knife machine, harmonium, &c.
1926–7 Army & Navy Stores Catal. 225/1 The ‘picnic’ table... Folds perfectly flat.
1970 Times 16 Apr. 3/3 (advt.) We don't forget power assisted steering, adjustable steering column, reclining seats and picnic tables.
1991 M. Gray First Fifty (BNC) 143 Loch Morlich must have been stunningly beautiful once, before the picnic tables and dinghies arrived.
C3. Australian and New Zealand. Designating a race meeting (esp. in a rural area) which is primarily an informal social occasion, or a race held at such a meeting.
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1896 N. Gould Town & Bush xiv. 225 The owners of the horses running at picnic races are generally men of means.
1936 I. L. Idriess Cattle King 350 Gone were nearly all the station and bush ‘picnic meetings’.
1978 O. White Silent Reach xxi. 219 The Fitzroy Crossing picnic race meeting.
2003 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 3 Dec. 1 There are usually nine races on New Year's Eve, another nine on New Year's Day, and a picnic meeting two days later.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
picnicv.
/ˈpɪknɪk/, U.S. /ˈpɪkˌnɪk/ 1. intransitive. To hold, take part in, or eat a picnic.
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the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [verb (intransitive)]
picnic1815
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating in specific conditions > eat in specific conditions [verb (intransitive)] > picnic
picnic1815
gypsy1820
1815 F. Burney Let. 16 May (1980) VIII. 123 If..my dearest Charlotte can hire him a comfortable room..and..suffer him to pick nick with her at meals, she would make [us] truly happy.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Audley Court in Poems (new ed.) II. 42 Let us picnic there At Audley Court.
1867 L. Stephen in Alpine Jrnl. 3 30 We picnicked on the grass outside the monastery.
1924 R. Macaulay Orphan Island xvii. 230 ‘Are you anxious for a proper dinner, Charles?’ ‘Not particularly, why?’ ‘Because, if you're not, let's picnic.’
1988 M. Moorcock Mother London i. 34 They picnicked in secluded glens.
2004 Evening Gaz. (Nexis) 15 Sept. 7 Families picnicked on its sandy ‘beach’ while the kids splashed about in the water.
2. transitive. To make a picnic of; to provide (a meal) by contributions from each person; to pool (food). rare.
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the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [verb (transitive)]
picnic1821
1821 T. Moore Mem. (1853) III. 268 The Villamils and I picnicked our provender.
2004 momo.essortment.com 23 Nov. (O.E.D. Archive) We prepared our breakfasts and dinners in permanent campsites maintained by NTAT and again picnicked our lunches.
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the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [verb (transitive)] > entertain with picnic
picnic1884
1884 ‘H. Collingwood’ Under Meteor Flag 77 We were balled, fêted, picniced, and generally made much of.
Derivatives
ˈpicnicking n. and adj.
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the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [adjective]
picnic1802
Gypsy1816
picnicking1842
picnic-ish1854
picnicky1870
packed1906
brown bag1947
take-with1951
tailgate1970
the world > food and drink > food > meal > picnic or packed meal > [noun] > holding picnic
picnicking1842
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating in specific conditions > [noun] > picnicking
picnicking1842
1842 F. Trollope Visit to Italy I. xix. 312 The description of one of the pic-nicing days.
1864 Daily Tel. 6 Apr. Yet can green, picnicking Simla ever wrest the crown away from Calcutta?
1888 W. R. Carles Life in Corea iii. 25 The hill is used as a lounge and picnicking place.
1925 S. Lewis Arrowsmith xix. 201 They all belonged to the Congregational Sunday School, and to either the Y.M.C.A. or the Camp Fire Girls; they were all fond of picnicking.
1987 Financial Post (Canada) (Nexis) 22 June iv. 52 During summer, the benches around the courtyard are likely to be taken up by picnicking wine tourists.
2004 Honolulu Advertiser (Nexis) 25 July 1 d Picknicking will begin at 5 p.m. on the lawn.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.adj.adv.1748
v.1815