The word pot-luck appears in the 16th century English work of Thomas Nashe, and used to mean "food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest, the luck of the pot." The modern execution of a "communal meal, where guests bring their own food," most likely originated in the 1930s during the Depression.

What does potluck mean?

1a : the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made. b : a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively a potluck supper. 2 : whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time.

What is a potluck called in England?

I have a riddle for you: What do you call a potluck in the UK? Answer: Weird. Actually, the proper answer is more like 'odd' or 'different' or even to the culturally astute, 'very American.