ˈcarry-out, a. and n. orig. and chiefly U.S.
Also carry out, carryout.
[f. vbl. phr. to carry out, carry v. 53: cf. take-out a. and n.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to (the trade in) prepared food and drink sold for consumption away from the premises of sale. Cf. take-away a. and take-out a. 1 b, 2.
| 1935 Soda Fountain June 41/2 Soda fountain operators will find it profitable now to carry a good supply of ginger ale and bottled carbonated water..in the cold storage compartment for the carry-out trade. 1957 Fast Food Sept. 100/2 In comparing the merits of the counter and carry-out sales, owner Gault points out that size of the order is the big factor. Most carry-out customers purchase food for groups of two to seven. 1963 Ibid. Feb. 35 Carry-out catering. No delivering. No serving. 1977 Washington Post 17 Mar. (Maryland Weekly Suppl.) 8/4 Paradise Restaurant... Available for carryout food and banquets on premises. 1978 Detroit Free Press 5 Mar. c18/4 (Advt.), Service station, party store, lottery tickets, carry-out pizzas, living quarters plus a small cottage. 1985 Money Mar. 149 While still working for the restaurant in 1956, he began his franchising career, buying rights that allowed him to sell carryout Kentucky Fried Chicken from his employer's location. |
B. n. (The selling of) prepared food and drink for consumption away from the premises of sale; a shop selling take-away food.
| 1940 Soda Fountain July 20 (heading) Tapley chalks up a success with carry-outs. 1964 Fast Food Feb. 92/2 Carry-out frequently goes ‘By the Bucket’. 1970 Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Q. May 86 (caption) Schueler's 7 kitchens in Cincinnati serve seven menu selections..for eating on the premises or carry out. 1972 S. Conn Ear to Ground 36 Outside The Silver Slipper the boys wait, Trousers flared, jacket-pockets Bulging with carry-outs. 1974 Evening News (Edinburgh) 12 Apr. 3/5 One of them had a ‘carry-out’, and when informed that it was illegal to take it off the premises at that time he left it with one of the bar staff. 1975 Business Week 27 Oct. 56/2 Kresco Inc...operates everything from quick-service carryouts to higher-priced restaurants. 1983 N.Y. Times 6 Apr. c7/1 These days there are almost as many carryouts as supermarkets on street corners. |