Although we have our suspicions that perhaps 'drunch' is simply an excuse to get drunk earlier in the afternoon - the concept has it's origins in the Italian aperitivo. The concept is to have a drink and a snack around 6pm - it's not exactly lunch and it's not dinner either.

In Italy the custom of enjoying a cocktail with a piece of cheese, some prosciutto, a handful of olives and a slice of freshly baked foccacia is an institution and is seen as pre-cursor to a dinner. It's an occasion to get the taste buds smarting and wanting more. However in these recession bitten times it would appear the Italian aperitivo has morphed into the new concept of drunch - only without the dinner.

Combining a mixture of cocktails, a glass of nice wine and sweet and savoury nibbles - the idea is to have an hour of decadence. Unlike brunch, drunch is not necessarily about being seen at the right places nor mixing the high with the low, such as that NY tradition of eggs Benedict and say a glass of champagne.

The advantages - missing dinner will ensure you can indulge in that second cocktail and slice of pizza without calorie guilt, plus early evening meetings don't have to last all evening nor consume your weekly food budget.

Milan appears to be spearheading the trend with a city bar, Toilet offering an outdoor drunch with a dedicated menu and table service. Cocktails include basil gin & tonics, ratatouille, and Sicilian caponata (aubergine dish) along with a selection of deserts.

For more new words and phrases to watch see www.swide.com//The-new-words-on-the-street.

Kerry Olsen

Source: D La Repubblica delle Donne

Photo Credits: Various