Posted by Alan Hakim on September 19, 2017 at 09:49:13 user awhakim.
In Reply to: Re: Class and language in the books posted by MarkD on September 19, 2017 at 06:37:28:
A few examples from my own experience.
I visited my nephew in Cumbria a couple of weeks ago (in the Eden Valley, real AR country) and we were given Tea: Roast Lamb and all the trimmings, with wine. And this is very usual in the North - and probably Scotland. (Followers of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on the BBC will know that the Scottish word-charades always start with "You'll have had your tea.")
Exactly the same rules in Australia in my experience. Tea is a major meal, the last of the day, except possibly a light snack last thing. It can even have guests like a dinner party. Though at AusTARS meetings they provide magnificent Teas - sandwiches and cake, probably enough to live on for the rest of the day.
Growing up in Wales in the 1940s, Tea and High Tea were two distinct meals. Tea was Bread and butter (more likely margarine), jam and cake if we were lucky, and of course tea. High Tea had all that plus something solid like a poached egg to make it into a full meal. At home, Lunch was at midday, and Dinner was an evening meal for grown-ups.
When I was called up into the Army, we were firmly told that Dinner was at midday, Tea was late afternoon after work, and I assume evening Dinner only happened in the Officers' Mess.
On a related theme, not in the S&A books, I have found that if I am asked "Would you like a drink?", in the South it's something like a G&T, but in the North it's a cup of tea. Takes a little getting used to.
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