The term "nuke" used in the context of microwaving food is a colloquial and informal expression that has become popular in American English. It is a slang term derived from "nuclear," and it's used metaphorically to describe the action of heating food in a microwave oven quickly. The idea behind this slang usage is that the microwave's ability to heat food rapidly is likened to the powerful and instantaneous release of energy in a nuclear explosion.
This term likely originated in the 1980s or 1990s, a time when microwave ovens became more common in households, and the public became more aware of the word "nuclear" due to news about nuclear energy, weapons, and accidents. As a result, the term "nuke" became a convenient and catchy way to describe the process of cooking food in a microwave.
It's important to note that when people say they are "nuking" their food, they are using it informally and in a lighthearted manner, not implying that the microwave is using nuclear energy or anything related to nuclear physics. It's simply a slang term that has entered popular usage as a way to talk about microwaving food quickly.