Early 20th century; earliest use found in Rupert Brooke (1887–1915), poet. From German Mahlzeit mealtime, shortened from the phrase gesegnete Mahlzeit lit. ‘blessed mealtime’.
Definition of Mahlzeit in US English:
Mahlzeit
exclamationˈmɑːltsʌɪt
A salutation before or after eating.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Rupert Brooke (1887–1915), poet. From German Mahlzeit mealtime, shortened from the phrase gesegnete Mahlzeit lit. ‘blessed mealtime’.