Snack - Snack (English spelling)

The original meaning is to have a bite, a small amount, or a simple meal. It is an abbreviation of snack food, which refers to salty snacks such as potato chips and popcorn, and is also an abbreviation of snack bar, which refers to a simple restaurant in the UK and the US. Snack bars in Japan are roughly divided into three types: coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. All of them have a counter-style structure so that customers can use them casually, and while entertainment at the table is prohibited, they are not subject to the Entertainment and Amusement Business Control Law and can operate with just a health center's permission, and have more relaxed business hours than entertainment businesses. Snack bars were first introduced to Japan at facilities related to the US occupation forces after World War II, and the number of snack bars with flexible business hours exploded after late-night business restrictions were tightened before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

[Moriwaki Itsuo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

原義は一口、少量、簡単な食事をとるという意味。スナック食品の略で、ポテトチップス、ポップコーンなど塩味のつまみ風の一口食べ物をさすとともに、英米では簡易食堂をさすスナック・バーsnack barの略称でもある。日本のスナック・バーは大別して喫茶、食堂、酒場の3種があり、どれもおおむねカウンター式構造で客が気楽に利用できること、客席での接待は禁じられているかわり、風俗営業等取締法の適用を受けず、保健所の許可だけで営業でき、風俗営業に比べ営業時間制限が緩やかなことが特徴。第二次世界大戦後の米占領軍関係施設から日本への導入が始まり、1964年（昭和39）の東京オリンピック大会前の深夜営業規制強化をきっかけに、営業時間の自由なスナックは爆発的に増えた。

［森脇逸男］

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