soup and fish

English

Etymology

From the first courses served at gala dinners, where formal dress is worn.

Noun

soup and fish (uncountable)

  1. (dated, slang) Men's formal white tie dress.
    • 1916 March 11, Charles E. Van Loan, “His Folks”, in Saturday Evening Post‎:
      Not a thing, you notice, about Elmer showing up in the soup and fish—the women thought that was all right. May Wilson even said that he looked well in the outfit.

Alternative forms
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