Slang – Cup of joe.
A cup of coffee.
This is common American slang. In the UK people generally prefer a cuppa (a cup of tea) to a cup of joe! Nobody knows for certain where “joe” comes from – there are several popular theories, but none is proven.
More Coffee Vocabulary:
- Java – another slang word for coffee, named after the coffee-growing island of Java in Indonesia.
- Wake up and smell the coffee (idiom) – face the facts and see what is really happening.
- Coffee break – a short rest during work, often with a cup of coffee.
Example:
- “I’m completely useless before my morning cup of joe!”
In the News
Spotted in the newsCarleton’s Coffee Culture: The Allure Of A Cup Of Joehercampus.comWhat is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cup of coffee. It is informal American slang.
There isn’t an exact one for coffee, but British people often talk about having a “cuppa” – usually a cup of tea.
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