In the USA, a potluck is a party where everyone brings a dish to share, but there's no real set menu. Since you don't know what you're having it's considered a pot luck (luck of the draw).
Pot luck is a term used to take a random chance at something.
Also called potluck supper, potluck dinner, potluck lunch. a meal, esp. for a large group, to which participants bring various foods to be shared.
A potluck is basically a party where everyone brings some type of food, so it takes off the pressure of cooking for the host!
One meaning of 'pot luck' is 'chance' - if you can't make a rational choice between two items you might say 'I'll take pot luck' - then just close your eyes and point, letting fate decide.
im in Canada.....if you're going to a party..lots of ppl, they say it's Potluck....(bring something to share..could be anything you want to make, meat dish, vegetarian dish, crackers/cheese platter, dessert-pie.cake, or cookies or something) just to contribute to the party ...it helps the host/hostess with having plenty of food for everyone as it does get costly*
pot luck is whatever you have in the fridge and closet thrown together....... and everyone brings a dish to pass
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potluck
Pot luck party is where every guest brings a dish or two for the party.....its a pull-in party basically....at least this is what its like in India....
A Potluck is the best eating I have ever had! Everyone brings a dish to share and mostly will bring one of their best dishes. Often times they are asked to bring that dish the next time as well. Yummm! Hope you enjoy!
a potluck is when you go to a party and everyone brings what they want no one is "assigned" to bring something I always make candied yams so if noone eats them i take them homw and eat them myself
I,m sure lots of countries make them. It,s when you get a pot and put it on the stove and throw a bunch of stuff in it like left over veggies, rice, meat and spice/herbs whatever and see if you get lucky.
Potlucks are the best. Everyone brings a dish and everyone shares you get to try all kinds of different dishes. Its usually great eating
Originally it meant that the weekly stew would become less inviting during the week. You put your ladle into the pot and if you were lucky you might come up with some meat.
The expression was then used when unexpected guests arrived at meal times. Nothing special prepared, they had to take 'pot luck' - just be happy with whatever was available.
Possibly used these days for a meal conjured up when unexpected guests arrive and you have to come up with a meal on the spur of the moment with available ingredients.
Now that we have microwave ovens and deep freezes, this is not a huge problem - unless of course your unexpected guests happen to be vegetarians,it's Monday lunch time and you just got back from a few days abroad! That really stretches the imagination!