TV dinner

Definition

A pre-prepared frozen meal packaged in a compartmentalized tray designed for individual consumption, typically heated in an oven or microwave and eaten while watching television. TV dinners became emblematic of mid-20th century American convenience culture and suburban lifestyle.

Example Usage

After school, the kids would microwave their TV dinners and eat them in front of the television.

Origin

The concept was popularized by Swanson's introduction of the aluminum-tray TV dinner in 1954, though the term became generic for all such frozen meals.

Fun Fact

The original Swanson TV dinner sold for 98 cents in 1954 and sold over 10 million units in its first year, fundamentally changing American eating habits and freeing parents from nightly cooking obligations.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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