Evaluating the Terms: Dinner vs Supper

Years ago, the common folk referred to their primary meal of the day as 'supper.' Those who considered themselves 'elite' might have called it 'dinner at eight.' In my home, we still call it supper, especially in a more relaxed, non-formal setting. When does one eat so late? For us, it's typical for us to enjoy our dinner at 5 p.m.

My Interpretation of Lunch, Dinner, and Supper

Typically, lunch is the noon meal in most regions. It is often a lighter meal, served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Dinner is the main meal of the day, traditionally eaten in the early evening, around 5 to 7 p.m., and sometimes as late as 2 to 4 p.m. on special occasions or holidays. For these days when the main meal is in the afternoon, lunch is often omitted altogether.

Supper, on the other hand, is a late meal typically enjoyed after 8 p.m. It may be eaten on regular nights or post-cinema or theater visits.

Regional and Class Differences in Meal Terminology

There are significant variations in the use of these terms across different regions, races, and social classes. For instance, in the western United States, where I grew up in a working-class family, meals are referred to as 'breakfast, lunch, dinner,' whereas a friend from the Midwest says 'breakfast, dinner, supper.' The upper class, on the other hand, may use 'supper' for the third meal, particularly around 8 p.m.

For those consuming food casually while seated before the television, it is 'supper.' On the other hand, dining together properly with a few guests marks 'dinner.' In very posh settings in the United Kingdom, 'supper' is rarely used, and instead, an evening light meal like a cup of milk and a biscuit might be enjoyed before bedtime.

Referencing the United Kingdom, in northern regions, working-class folks might refer to the three key meals as 'breakfast, dinner, and tea.' Historically, the name 'dinner' was associated with a midday meal due to its centrality in the daily schedule. Schools still refer to the midday meal as 'dinner,' with the 'dinner ladies' preparing and serving these meals. My wife, who works as a 'dinner lady' at a school, often returns home late in the afternoon, and I usually inquire about 'tea' at around 6 p.m. Our 'tea' is the main meal of the day, which is served around 6:00 p.m.