General
grub
What does grub mean?
As a verb, to eat — often heard as 'grub down' or 'grubbing.'
"We grubbed down on burgers all afternoon."
Origin
Old English-rooted slang that's been used for food since at least the 1600s, possibly from the idea of birds digging up grubs to eat. Common in both American and British English.
Frequently asked questions
What does grub mean in slang?
Grub is a casual word for food. 'Let's get some grub' just means let's get something to eat.
What does 'grub's up' mean?
It's an announcement that the food is ready and it's time to eat — a British and American mealtime call.
Is grub American or British?
Both. It's old slang used widely in the US and UK to mean food.
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