Dictionary

mom and pop en · ADJ

Etymology

Named for the archetypical case in which such a business is run by a self-employed couple with children.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative, not-comparable) Alternative form of mom-and-pop.
   alt of mom-and-pop
   • Did he eat at local mom and pop diners or national chains? 2016, Steven M. Studebaker, “Global Leadership Without Hubris”, in A Pentecostal Political Theology for American Renewal: Spirit of the Kingdoms, Citizens of the Cities (Christianity and Renewal – Interdisciplinary Studies), →ISBN, part III (The Spirit and National Renewal), page 229:
   • McDonald’s and Burger King have pretty much wiped out the mom and pop diners; […] 1998, Ed Gorman, chapter 4, in Cage of Night, →ISBN, page 33:
   • In the past ten years or so, there has been an explosion of restaurants. This is a very welcome development, as the art of fine dining has spread to areas that previously only had mom and pop diners or substandard steakhouses. 1997, Bradley S. O’Leary, “What Makes a Restaurant Romantic?”, in Dining by Candlelight: America’s 200 Most Romantic Restaurants, Austin, Tex.: Boru Publishing, →ISBN, page xxi:

Forms

mom and pop en · NOUN

Etymology

Named for the archetypical case in which such a business is run by a self-employed couple with children.

Meanings

1. (informal) A small business, often but not always owned or operated by a family.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mom, and, pop.
   • Also, love for mom and pop. 1952 November 24, “Religion”, in Time: The Weekly Newsmagazine, volume LX, number 21, Chicago, Ill.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 76, column 2:

Forms

Coordinates

big box

Hypernyms

SME · SMB

Relateds

family business

Translations (1)

cmn 夫妻店 (small business often but not always owned or operated by a family)