Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German, with the old German spelling (modern German: Delikatessen), plural of Delicatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus.
In Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, "Delikatessen" has a rather different meaning; it designates top-quality (and top-price) foodstuffs. A common synonym is Feinkost ("fine food") or similar to "Good Eats". The shops which sell them are called Delikatessenläden ("stores for delicacies"), and department stores often have a Delikatessenabteilung ("delicacies department"). You can also find Delicatessen in Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands. None of these sells the take-out food that is characteristic of North American delicatessen.
In the UK, American Style Delis are provided largely by fast food outlets such as Subway; this reflects the quality of produce available at these counters.
