brown bag meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

brown bag

noun

Etymology (presentation): From the brown paper bag traditionally used to carry one's own packed lunch from home.

A brown paper bag.

Idiomatic A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.

Did you attend the brown bag Tuesday on healthy exercise habits?
So what student would choose to work in Washington for zero compensation, with benefits listed as "brown-bags," "farewell reception" and "athletic and service opportunities"?1994 November 6, William Goss, “Interning For Pleasure And Profit”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Derived terms: brownbagger, brown-bagger, brown bag test, brown paper bag party
Related terms: potluck

brown bag

verb

Etymology (presentation): From the brown paper bag traditionally used to carry one's own packed lunch from home.

Ambitransitive, Informal To carry one's packed lunch from home, either literally or figuratively in a brown paper bag or a lunchbox, rather than purchase it from a cafeteria or restaurant.

I'm brown bagging it again this month because the combination of healthy plus inexpensive is hard to beat otherwise.

Ambitransitive, Informal To consume alcohol in public from the bottle or can, while it is held concealed inside a brown paper bag, so as to avoid attention e.g. from the police.

I'm brown bagging it again today because I haven't managed to kick this habit yet.

Agriculture, Business, Lifestyle Ambitransitive, Informal To plant seed saved from one's own harvest, as opposed to buying new seed from a seed company.

I'm brown bagging it again this year because I don't need to be spending money on expensive hybrids.

Related terms: packaged goods, package store