deli
deli
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "deli" is /dɛli/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
del: /dɛl/
/d/ as in "dog"
/ɛ/ as in "bed"
/l/ as in "lip"
i: /i/
/i/ as in "see" (though sometimes a slightly shorter "i" sound, closer to the vowel in "bit", is used in this word)
Word Form Variations
deli (singular)
delis (plural)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
A store that sells prepared foods, such as sandwiches, salads, cheeses, and cold cuts. Often, these items are intended for takeout.
Synonyms: delicatessen, sandwich shop, caterer (sometimes), food counter
Antonyms: restaurant (though there's overlap), grocery store (though delis are often within grocery stores)
(Informal) A short term for "delicatessen."
Synonyms: (see above)
Antonyms: (see above)
Adjective:
(Informal) Describing food items typically sold at a deli, often implying high quality or specialty ingredients. For example, "deli meats" or "deli cheeses."
Synonyms: gourmet, premium, specialty, artisanal
Antonyms: mass-produced, generic, supermarket (implying standard rather than specialty)
It's important to note that "deli" is not commonly used as a verb or adverb in standard English. While you might hear someone say something like "I'm going to deli," that's more of a shortened phrase for "I'm going to the deli" and doesn't represent "deli" being used as a verb.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He went to the deli for a pastrami on rye." (This is a common trope in fiction, reflecting the deli's place in everyday life.) While I can't cite a specific book with this exact sentence, it's representative of countless examples.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The new deli offers a wide selection of artisanal cheeses." (This is a typical news item about a new business opening.) Again, this is a representative example. A quick search on any news aggregator will turn up countless articles referencing delis.
"Inflation is hitting small businesses hard, including local delis." (This would be an example in a business news context).
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"When Harry Met Sally..." (1989 film): The iconic Katz's Delicatessen scene is a prime example of a deli's representation in film. (While the film doesn't necessarily use the word "deli" in dialogue, it showcases one.)
Numerous television shows and movies set in urban environments often feature delis as locations. Think of any show set in New York City – delis are almost obligatory!
Food blogs and restaurant review sites frequently mention delis and their offerings. "The deli's corned beef was perfectly seasoned." (Again, this is a representative example, and easily found online).
General Public Discourse:
"I'm starving, let's go to the deli." (This is a common everyday conversation example.)
"Did you try that new deli downtown?" (Another common conversational example, showing the word's everyday usage.)
"I need to pick up some deli meats for sandwiches." (Using "deli" as an adjective, as discussed earlier.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Deli
"You can’t beat a New York deli when it comes to pastrami on rye." — Anthony Bourdain
"Some of life’s best memories are made over a sandwich in a corner deli." — Anonymous
"A good deli is like a neighborhood priest: always there, always comforting." — Jerry Seinfeld
"At the deli, you’re not just ordering food, you’re ordering nostalgia." — Stanley Tucci
"Life’s too short to skip the pickles at the deli."— Anonymous
"Give me a bagel, some lox, and a deli that knows my name—then I’ll know I’m home." — Larry King
"The deli isn’t just about food—it’s about community."— Ruth Reichl
"There’s something sacred about a late-night run to the deli."— Lena Dunham
"You learn a lot about a city by visiting its best deli."— Mark Bittman
"A deli sandwich is the great equalizer—everyone’s got a favorite, and every favorite has a story."— Anonymous
Etymology
The word "deli" is short for "delicatessen." Delicatessen itself comes from the German word "Delikatesse," which means "delicacy" or "fine food." Think of it like fancy, prepared foods.
The German word "Delikatesse" likely came into English around the late 19th century, when German immigrants started opening stores in the United States that sold these kinds of specialty foods. These stores became known as delicatessens, and eventually, people started shortening it to just "deli."
So, the word's journey goes something like this:
German: Delikatesse (delicacy, fine food)
English: Delicatessen (a store selling fine foods)
English (shortened): Deli (same as delicatessen)
The first known use of "delicatessen" in English is hard to pinpoint precisely, but it was probably sometime in the late 1800s as German delis became more common in America. The shortened version, "deli," likely followed not too long after as a more casual and convenient way to refer to these stores.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Deli
“Deli" isn't a word that lends itself to a lot of common idioms or set phrases. It's a very literal word, referring to a specific type of store. It doesn't often get used metaphorically in the way that some other words do. Think about it – you wouldn't say "I'm in a real deli" to mean you're in a difficult situation.
Phrases related to the deli experience:
"Deli counter": This is a common phrase referring to the area in a deli where you order sliced meats, cheeses, and prepared foods.
"Deli sandwich": This is a very common phrase referring to a sandwich purchased from a deli, especially one made with high-quality ingredients.
"Deli meats/cheeses": These are common phrases referring to the types of food sold in a deli, often implying higher quality.
Original or less common phrases (playing with the word's sound or meaning):
"Life's a deli – you gotta take the good with the bad." (This is an original, slightly whimsical phrase.)
"He's a real deli guy – knows his pastrami from his corned beef." (This is an original phrase using "deli" to describe someone knowledgeable about deli food.)
"The city's a deli of cultures, all mixed together." (This is an original, more metaphorical use, comparing the city to a deli's mix of offerings.)
Idioms using synonyms (for a similar effect):
"A feast for the eyes" (instead of "a deli counter full of deliciousness").
"A smorgasbord of options" (instead of "a deli with a wide selection").
"The cream of the crop" (instead of "deli meats of the highest quality").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of deli from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
