| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Luncheon. (Welsh, llonc or llwnc, a gulp; llyncu, to swallow at a gulp.) | | |
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The notion of its derivation from the Spanish once, eleven, is borrowed from the word nuncheon, i.e. nón-mete, a noon repast. Hence Hudibras: | 1 |
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| “When, laying by their swords and truncheons, |
| They took their breakfasts, or their nuncheons.” | |
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Book i. 1. lines 345, 346. |
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 In Letter Book G, folio iv. (27 Edward II.), donations of drink to workmen are called nonechenche. (Riley: Memorials of London.) | 2 |
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