noshing

Noshing refers to the act of eating small amounts of food, often as a casual snack rather than a full meal. The term can function as a noun (a nosh) or a verb (to nosh), and is widely used in North American English. It implies light, informal eating, frequently in social settings or during a break.

The word originated from Yiddish nosh, meaning a small bite or snack, and entered American English in the early to mid-20th century. It has since spread to broader usage, remaining informal and conversational.

In practice, noshing occurs at gatherings, workplaces, travel stops, and home occasions, with emphasis on convenience and variety. Common nosh foods include finger foods and shareable items such as bagels with spreads, smoked fish, cheese and crackers, nuts, pretzels, olives, pickles, fruit, dips, chips, and small desserts. The aim is to provide a quick, satisfying bite rather than a formal course.

Linguistically, noshing can describe the activity (noshing on chips) or refer to a light meal itself (a quick nosh). In some dialects, nosh is also used as a general verb meaning to eat, especially in informal speech.

See also: snacks, grazing, hors d'oeuvre, bite-size foods.