bussing

Bussing is a term in English with more than one common meaning. It most often appears as the present participle of the verb buss, meaning to kiss, and as a participle related to the restaurant task of clearing dishes from tables and resetting them for new customers.

As a kiss, buss means to give a light or brief kiss, often on the lips or cheek. The spelling buss is traditional, and bussing can be used to describe the action or to refer to such kisses in informal or literary contexts. Some speakers prefer more contemporary terms like kiss or smooch.

In a hospitality setting, bussing refers to clearing away used dishes from a table, removing crumbs, and resetting the place for the next party. A person who performs this work is called a busser or busboy. The activity is part of the service staff’s duties and is aimed at maintaining cleanliness and turnover efficiency in dining areas.

Spelling and usage notes: the kissing sense is commonly written buss or bussing, with the verb’s present participle formed as bussing. The dining sense is also widely written bussing, though some writers use busing (one s) in American usage, particularly when referring to transportation by bus rather than the restaurant task. Context usually clarifies the intended meaning.

See also: kiss, buss (kiss), busser, busboy, smooch.