General
regular coffee
What does regular coffee mean?
At a NYC deli or cart, ordering a 'regular' gets you coffee already made with milk and (usually two) sugars — not black.
"Lemme get a bagel and a regular coffee."
Origin
NYC deli/cart shorthand where 'regular' denotes cream-and-sugar unless specified otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'regular coffee' in New York?
At a NYC deli or cart, it's coffee already made with milk and usually two sugars — not black.
Why does 'regular' mean milk and sugar?
It's NYC deli/cart shorthand where 'regular' denotes cream-and-sugar unless you specify otherwise.
What if I want black coffee?
You have to say so — a 'regular' comes with milk and sugar by default at NYC delis.
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