this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2025
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Why would anyone call it the check? I presume it’s a corruption of cheque but isn’t that sending money?
In Australia we ask for the bill. And don’t tip
Indeed we say "the bill", this is of course a joke, a play on words.
Etymology of using "cheque" (American spelling "check") is a bit murky from my very surface level searching: https://www.etymonline.com/word/cheque
Seems logical is gained it's meaning from 1812: "a counter-register as a token of ownership used to check against, and prevent, loss or theft" from "coat check". Doesn't seem like that much of a stretch for the meaning to then mean a token of how much you owe for the food.
'The meaning "restaurant bill" is from 1869.' according to this website.