Thishas always been a fascinating question which still confuses even the most British of Brits these days. Why do some people call their evening meal ‘tea’? So, first, let’s delve into a bit of background information on the real definition of tea.
There are basically two types: “low” tea and “high” tea.
“Low” tea
Anna Maria Russell, the 7th duch*ess of Bedford and friend of Queen Victoria, is widely accredited with introducing the concept of “afternoon” or “low” tea to rich households. She would ask her butler to bring only tea, bread, butter, perhaps even a few scones to her chambers at around 5pm because she would feel slightly peckish, but could not eat a full meal yet. Eventually, she did this on a daily basis, even inviting her friends to her house to join in, and essentially creating a new type of social ritual.
This practice eventually trickled down into the working classes who worked long hours. They foundthat having a small snack in between the midday meal and evening meal would help boost energy levels.
“High” tea
“High” tea is actually dinner but has also come to mean a lavish afternoon tea. In the past, high tea was an alternative to afternoon tea. It combined snacks and a hearty meal and was usually served at about 6pm.
This eventually evolved into the lower classes calling their midday meal “dinner”and their evening meal “tea”, while the upper classes called their midday meal “lunch” and referred to the evening meal as “dinner”.
These days, class boundaries are increasingly blurred so anybody may use either term depending on how they’ve been brought up or where they live. However, both tea and dinner essentially mean the same thing to most Brits: an evening meal.
FAQs
“High” tea
What is the British word for evening meal? ›
Tea as a meal is associated with the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries. Some people in Britain and Australasia refer to their main evening meal as "tea" rather than "dinner" or "supper", the use of "tea" differs based on social class, "tea" can refer to a light meal or a snack.
What is teatime in Great Britain? ›
Tea Time, also known as "Afternoon Tea" or "Five o'clock Tea", is a tradition that comes straight from England and consists of getting together with family or friends for tea and a few delicacies to taste. It is a rather friendly brunch that usually takes place in the afternoon, around 3:30 and 5:00 PM.
Why do some Australians call dinner tea? ›
Traditionally, high tea was what the working classes in England might call dinner or supper (and it's not unusual for many Australians to have grown up calling this meal 'tea'). It was a filling meal of meat, carbs and, yes, tea, served after a long day of work.
Is calling dinner tea a Scottish thing? ›
Breakfast > Elevenses> Luncheon> Tea> Dinner> Supper. It's not a uniquely Scottish thing. The same term is or was used in parts of Ireland and northern England.
Why do Brits say tea for dinner? ›
“High” tea
It combined snacks and a hearty meal and was usually served at about 6pm. This eventually evolved into the lower classes calling their midday meal “dinner” and their evening meal “tea”, while the upper classes called their midday meal “lunch” and referred to the evening meal as “dinner”.
What do British say before eating? ›
Usually nothing. Some religious people may say a grace or blessing before meals, but there is no English language equivalent of “Bon appetit”. What do British people eat on a daily basis?
What meal do the British call tea? ›
You may assume this split is along class lines, but the divide is more of a geographical one, with both working and middle-class northerners tending to say tea, with dinner the winner down south. Three-quarters of Scots use dinner too, according to a survey by Travelodge in 2020, with only 19% eating tea.
Do Brits still have afternoon tea? ›
The tradition is still quintessentially British, and many Brits still make time to sit and enjoy the propriety and civility of this the quaintest of English dining customs, just not on a daily basis.
What kind of tea do Brits drink? ›
Most people tend to drink a medium-strength blend of black tea, of the type known as English Breakfast, usually with milk and sometimes sugar or a sweetener, and probably in teabag form rather than loose tealeaves; teabags tend to contain less good tea, and to be poorer value for money, but are very convenient if you ...
Current British meal times
Tea--an essential and respected part of British tradition, and often a meal in itself--is generally served between 4:30 and 5:30. Dinner or supper is served between 7:30 and 9:30, sometimes earlier."
Do Australians drink British tea? ›
Tea is a large part of modern Australian culture due to its British origins. Australians drink tea and have afternoon tea and morning tea much the way the British do. Additionally, due to Australia's climate, tea is able to be grown and produced in northern Australia.
Do Scottish prefer tea or coffee? ›
Scotland's staple drink, like England's, is tea, drunk strong and with milk, though coffee is just as readily available everywhere. However, while designer coffee shops are now a familiar feature in the cities, execrable versions of espresso and cappuccino, as well as instant coffee, are still all too familiar.
What do the British call the evening meal? ›
Technically "dinner" is the term for the largest meal of the day. "Supper" is the term for an evening meal and "lunch" is the term for a mid day meal.
What time is dinner in Scotland? ›
Dining Etiquette
In Scotland, dining times can vary widely, ranging from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at sit-down restaurants to the wee hours of the morning at pubs or fast food joints.
What is night food called in UK? ›
Supper is used especially when the meal is an informal one eaten at home, while dinner tends to be the term chosen when the meal is more formal. In some dialects and especially in British English, supper can also refer to a light meal or snack that is eaten late in the evening.
What is the posh name for the evening meal? ›
Supper is used commonly as the term for the main evening meal, although its use varies considerably. Supper may be used to describe a snack or light meal in the evening, either after or instead of dinner.
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