From soup to nuts

Posted by Bob on August 01, 2000

In Reply to: From soup to nuts posted by Zachary T. Lehman on July 31, 2000

: I have been trying to find information on the origin, or meaning of the phrase "from soup to nuts" for some time. I understand that it means more or less, "from start to finish" but the reference escapes me. Can some one please enlighten me? email response would be appreciated! lehma_zt@hotmail.com

: Thanks,

: Zachary T. Lehman

They're the courses in a (Victorian?) formal banquet. Soup is the first course, and the nuts are served with the brandy and cigars as the gentlemen retire to the billiards room....