Mahlzeit is a German
salutation, which is used during
lunchtime. It descended from a more formal salutation and is the short form of "Gesegnete Mahlzeit" (
de: blessed meal). Mahlzeit is also the German word for
meal. The salutation is pretty common and is used with or without connection to food or eating. In some German regions and in
Austria it still has its old meaning and is only used in connection with meals. When saluted with Mahlzeit one just answers Mahlzeit.
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