The term 'Oliver Twist' is a classic novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1838. The novel follows the story of an orphan named Oliver Twist who is forced to live in a workhouse and eventually runs away to London. In the novel, Oliver is often served GRUEL, which is a thin porridge made from oats or other grains. GRUEL is a staple food for the poor in the novel, and it serves as a symbol of Oliver's poverty and suffering.