Closest English term for Spanish “merienda”
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The Spanish word merienda is often included in lists of untranslatable words. It originally meant the meal you had around noon between breakfast and dinner, as that meal used to be small compared with the other two. In some parts it is still used with that sense but since the 17th century it is almost always used for the small meal you have between lunch and dinner.
In Spain you usually have lunch around 2:00 PM and dinner around 9:00 PM, so at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve. That small meal is our merienda.
I would like to know if there are or there have been words in English to refer to a similar small meal you have between the main meals. I have looked up the word even in old dictionaries, but I think the translations refer to the old meaning of the word:
- The Spanish-English dictionary by Richard Percyvall from 1591 translates the word as noonemeate (currently noonmeat), but that seems to be a synonym for lunch.
- The Spanish-Latin-English dictionary by Iohannis Minshaei from 1617 translates the word as a Bever. That word is not present in the Oxford dictionary but seems to be related to beverage. Etymonline says its meaning could be "a drinking bout".
- The closest word I can think of is US English snack: "a small amount of food eaten between meals" or "a light meal that is eaten in a hurry or in a casual manner".
So among every word the English language has produced everywhere and at every time, old and new, known or unknown, what would be the closest one to Spanish merienda?
single-word-requests nouns translation spanish
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
The Spanish word merienda is often included in lists of untranslatable words. It originally meant the meal you had around noon between breakfast and dinner, as that meal used to be small compared with the other two. In some parts it is still used with that sense but since the 17th century it is almost always used for the small meal you have between lunch and dinner.
In Spain you usually have lunch around 2:00 PM and dinner around 9:00 PM, so at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve. That small meal is our merienda.
I would like to know if there are or there have been words in English to refer to a similar small meal you have between the main meals. I have looked up the word even in old dictionaries, but I think the translations refer to the old meaning of the word:
- The Spanish-English dictionary by Richard Percyvall from 1591 translates the word as noonemeate (currently noonmeat), but that seems to be a synonym for lunch.
- The Spanish-Latin-English dictionary by Iohannis Minshaei from 1617 translates the word as a Bever. That word is not present in the Oxford dictionary but seems to be related to beverage. Etymonline says its meaning could be "a drinking bout".
- The closest word I can think of is US English snack: "a small amount of food eaten between meals" or "a light meal that is eaten in a hurry or in a casual manner".
So among every word the English language has produced everywhere and at every time, old and new, known or unknown, what would be the closest one to Spanish merienda?
single-word-requests nouns translation spanish
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
9
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
1
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21
|
show 6 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
The Spanish word merienda is often included in lists of untranslatable words. It originally meant the meal you had around noon between breakfast and dinner, as that meal used to be small compared with the other two. In some parts it is still used with that sense but since the 17th century it is almost always used for the small meal you have between lunch and dinner.
In Spain you usually have lunch around 2:00 PM and dinner around 9:00 PM, so at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve. That small meal is our merienda.
I would like to know if there are or there have been words in English to refer to a similar small meal you have between the main meals. I have looked up the word even in old dictionaries, but I think the translations refer to the old meaning of the word:
- The Spanish-English dictionary by Richard Percyvall from 1591 translates the word as noonemeate (currently noonmeat), but that seems to be a synonym for lunch.
- The Spanish-Latin-English dictionary by Iohannis Minshaei from 1617 translates the word as a Bever. That word is not present in the Oxford dictionary but seems to be related to beverage. Etymonline says its meaning could be "a drinking bout".
- The closest word I can think of is US English snack: "a small amount of food eaten between meals" or "a light meal that is eaten in a hurry or in a casual manner".
So among every word the English language has produced everywhere and at every time, old and new, known or unknown, what would be the closest one to Spanish merienda?
single-word-requests nouns translation spanish
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
The Spanish word merienda is often included in lists of untranslatable words. It originally meant the meal you had around noon between breakfast and dinner, as that meal used to be small compared with the other two. In some parts it is still used with that sense but since the 17th century it is almost always used for the small meal you have between lunch and dinner.
In Spain you usually have lunch around 2:00 PM and dinner around 9:00 PM, so at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve. That small meal is our merienda.
I would like to know if there are or there have been words in English to refer to a similar small meal you have between the main meals. I have looked up the word even in old dictionaries, but I think the translations refer to the old meaning of the word:
- The Spanish-English dictionary by Richard Percyvall from 1591 translates the word as noonemeate (currently noonmeat), but that seems to be a synonym for lunch.
- The Spanish-Latin-English dictionary by Iohannis Minshaei from 1617 translates the word as a Bever. That word is not present in the Oxford dictionary but seems to be related to beverage. Etymonline says its meaning could be "a drinking bout".
- The closest word I can think of is US English snack: "a small amount of food eaten between meals" or "a light meal that is eaten in a hurry or in a casual manner".
So among every word the English language has produced everywhere and at every time, old and new, known or unknown, what would be the closest one to Spanish merienda?
single-word-requests nouns translation spanish
single-word-requests nouns translation spanish
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
edited Nov 28 at 17:20
Mitch
49.4k1599207
49.4k1599207
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
asked Nov 28 at 9:54
Charlie
1,0821320
1,0821320
9
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
1
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21
|
show 6 more comments
9
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
1
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21
9
9
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
1
1
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21
|
show 6 more comments
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
12
down vote
I think your question contains its answer: snack is both AE and BE, and the first example sentence reported by the Oxford Dictionary is
not many people make it through to the evening meal without a snack
which seems to reflect your definition quite perfectly: "at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve"
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
I was surprised not to see tea in the answers until I saw it in the very first comment by J. Taylor.
Also, consider high tea though not a single word.
MW:
tea noun
4a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon
ODO:
tea
NOUN
3 [British] A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
‘they were about to take afternoon tea’
[count noun] ‘picnic teas’
3.1 A cooked evening meal.
‘fish and chips for tea’
[count noun] ‘it reminds me of Sunday teas when I was a very small
child’
high tea
NOUN [British]
A meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and
tea.
‘you sat down and had high tea’
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
2
down vote
Well, supper, for one. I believe it fits the context quite well.
Merriam Webster:
supper noun
sup·per | ˈsə-pər
Definitions:
1a: the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper
especially: an evening social especially for raising funds
a church supper
2: the food served as a supper
'eat your supper'
3: a light meal served late in the evening
Oxford:
An evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
e.g.: ‘we had a delicious cold supper’
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
After having lived in Spain for the last 14 year or so, I would classify it as rather an "early evening snack". I don't think it should be considered as afternoon tea or snack, barely on the fact, it is too late to call it afternoon! However, I will add that the"merienda" as such can be something sweet or savoury. 
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
There are small meals between lunch and dinner, these are called "Dunch" which is a combination of Lunch and Dinner. (It can also be called "Linner")
If you eat a meal between breakfast and lunch it is called brunch, which is more well known.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/dunch
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/submission/545/linner
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
12
down vote
I think your question contains its answer: snack is both AE and BE, and the first example sentence reported by the Oxford Dictionary is
not many people make it through to the evening meal without a snack
which seems to reflect your definition quite perfectly: "at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve"
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
add a comment |
up vote
12
down vote
I think your question contains its answer: snack is both AE and BE, and the first example sentence reported by the Oxford Dictionary is
not many people make it through to the evening meal without a snack
which seems to reflect your definition quite perfectly: "at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve"
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
add a comment |
up vote
12
down vote
up vote
12
down vote
I think your question contains its answer: snack is both AE and BE, and the first example sentence reported by the Oxford Dictionary is
not many people make it through to the evening meal without a snack
which seems to reflect your definition quite perfectly: "at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve"
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
I think your question contains its answer: snack is both AE and BE, and the first example sentence reported by the Oxford Dictionary is
not many people make it through to the evening meal without a snack
which seems to reflect your definition quite perfectly: "at around 5:30 you need a small meal if you do not want to starve"
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
answered Nov 28 at 10:05
Nicola Sap
28319
28319
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
add a comment |
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
1
1
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
Maybe 'late afternoon snack'
– chasly from UK
Nov 29 at 9:12
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
I was surprised not to see tea in the answers until I saw it in the very first comment by J. Taylor.
Also, consider high tea though not a single word.
MW:
tea noun
4a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon
ODO:
tea
NOUN
3 [British] A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
‘they were about to take afternoon tea’
[count noun] ‘picnic teas’
3.1 A cooked evening meal.
‘fish and chips for tea’
[count noun] ‘it reminds me of Sunday teas when I was a very small
child’
high tea
NOUN [British]
A meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and
tea.
‘you sat down and had high tea’
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
5
down vote
I was surprised not to see tea in the answers until I saw it in the very first comment by J. Taylor.
Also, consider high tea though not a single word.
MW:
tea noun
4a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon
ODO:
tea
NOUN
3 [British] A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
‘they were about to take afternoon tea’
[count noun] ‘picnic teas’
3.1 A cooked evening meal.
‘fish and chips for tea’
[count noun] ‘it reminds me of Sunday teas when I was a very small
child’
high tea
NOUN [British]
A meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and
tea.
‘you sat down and had high tea’
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
I was surprised not to see tea in the answers until I saw it in the very first comment by J. Taylor.
Also, consider high tea though not a single word.
MW:
tea noun
4a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon
ODO:
tea
NOUN
3 [British] A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
‘they were about to take afternoon tea’
[count noun] ‘picnic teas’
3.1 A cooked evening meal.
‘fish and chips for tea’
[count noun] ‘it reminds me of Sunday teas when I was a very small
child’
high tea
NOUN [British]
A meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and
tea.
‘you sat down and had high tea’
I was surprised not to see tea in the answers until I saw it in the very first comment by J. Taylor.
Also, consider high tea though not a single word.
MW:
tea noun
4a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon
ODO:
tea
NOUN
3 [British] A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes.
‘they were about to take afternoon tea’
[count noun] ‘picnic teas’
3.1 A cooked evening meal.
‘fish and chips for tea’
[count noun] ‘it reminds me of Sunday teas when I was a very small
child’
high tea
NOUN [British]
A meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening, typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and
tea.
‘you sat down and had high tea’
edited Nov 28 at 17:02
community wiki
2 revs
alwayslearning
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
|
show 1 more comment
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
2
2
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
Yes. What is understood by "tea" in Britain can vary considerably. The "posh" take "tea" as you describe - "afternoon tea" between lunch and dinner - sandwiches, cakes and tea (drunk with little finger extended). However many working-class people call the main evening meal "tea". The genteel talk about "high tea", where it contains a cooked element. The whole subject is confused by the fact that in pre-Victorian Britain "dinner", the main meal of the day was taken around noon. This persisted among the working classes in the 20th century and remains the case with many people today (continued).
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:53
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
It was only when British people began to travel in Europe, that they noticed that the French and others took their main meal in the evening. Hence a word needed to be devised for the mid-day meal. "Luncheon", (or lunch) had previously been a snack taken mid-morning (and still is for some who call the mid-day meal "dinner"). The first OED entry for "luncheon" as a substantial meal in the early afternoon is in 1809.
– WS2
Nov 28 at 17:59
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
Of course, in the US there is great confusion about these terms, and most Americans who say "high tea" actually mean "afternoon tea" by British definitions, because "high tea" sounds fancy.
– 1006a
Nov 28 at 18:33
1
1
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
@WS2 I can confirm that some Americans use "lunch" for a mid-morning snack, "dinner" for a midday meal, and "supper" for an evening meal. Both "dinner" and "supper" were large meals, as those folks were farmers (and not the least bit bourgeois). I think that usage is highly regional, however.
– Carl Kevinson
Nov 28 at 21:57
1
1
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
@CarlKevinson Yes. That is the old-fashioned working-class English nomenclature that I grew up with (also in a farming area), and which still persists with a lot of people. The exception would be supper. In our case we had breakfast, dinner (main meal abt 1.00pm, usually some form of meat - perhaps sausage, pudding for desert), tea (less-substantial e.g. fish & chips, or egg and baked beans on toast), and supper (snack e.g piece of cake and warm drink) before we went to bed. I'm talking here of the 1950s, and the message about economising on carbohydrates had not begun!
– WS2
Nov 28 at 22:42
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
2
down vote
Well, supper, for one. I believe it fits the context quite well.
Merriam Webster:
supper noun
sup·per | ˈsə-pər
Definitions:
1a: the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper
especially: an evening social especially for raising funds
a church supper
2: the food served as a supper
'eat your supper'
3: a light meal served late in the evening
Oxford:
An evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
e.g.: ‘we had a delicious cold supper’
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Well, supper, for one. I believe it fits the context quite well.
Merriam Webster:
supper noun
sup·per | ˈsə-pər
Definitions:
1a: the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper
especially: an evening social especially for raising funds
a church supper
2: the food served as a supper
'eat your supper'
3: a light meal served late in the evening
Oxford:
An evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
e.g.: ‘we had a delicious cold supper’
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Well, supper, for one. I believe it fits the context quite well.
Merriam Webster:
supper noun
sup·per | ˈsə-pər
Definitions:
1a: the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper
especially: an evening social especially for raising funds
a church supper
2: the food served as a supper
'eat your supper'
3: a light meal served late in the evening
Oxford:
An evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
e.g.: ‘we had a delicious cold supper’
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
Well, supper, for one. I believe it fits the context quite well.
Merriam Webster:
supper noun
sup·per | ˈsə-pər
Definitions:
1a: the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper
especially: an evening social especially for raising funds
a church supper
2: the food served as a supper
'eat your supper'
3: a light meal served late in the evening
Oxford:
An evening meal, typically a light or informal one.
e.g.: ‘we had a delicious cold supper’
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
answered Nov 29 at 4:03
Equinox
565
565
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
After having lived in Spain for the last 14 year or so, I would classify it as rather an "early evening snack". I don't think it should be considered as afternoon tea or snack, barely on the fact, it is too late to call it afternoon! However, I will add that the"merienda" as such can be something sweet or savoury.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
After having lived in Spain for the last 14 year or so, I would classify it as rather an "early evening snack". I don't think it should be considered as afternoon tea or snack, barely on the fact, it is too late to call it afternoon! However, I will add that the"merienda" as such can be something sweet or savoury.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
After having lived in Spain for the last 14 year or so, I would classify it as rather an "early evening snack". I don't think it should be considered as afternoon tea or snack, barely on the fact, it is too late to call it afternoon! However, I will add that the"merienda" as such can be something sweet or savoury.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
After having lived in Spain for the last 14 year or so, I would classify it as rather an "early evening snack". I don't think it should be considered as afternoon tea or snack, barely on the fact, it is too late to call it afternoon! However, I will add that the"merienda" as such can be something sweet or savoury.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
answered Nov 28 at 11:01
Michael
111
111
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
|
show 1 more comment
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
Claridges serves 'late afternoon tea' up to 5:30, so if the OP's time is correct then it's not too late to be a 'late afternoon' tea claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea
– Pete Kirkham
Nov 28 at 16:11
2
2
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
Would you mind translating that spanish caption on your picture?
– Wilson
Nov 28 at 16:20
4
4
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
uhhh what are we looking at
– Azor Ahai
Nov 28 at 17:00
1
1
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
@Wilson the translation would be "We are already packing the hams you will receive this Christmas. They will arrive soon"
– jmm
Nov 28 at 19:02
2
2
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
Spaniards seem to eat late because their clocks are wrong: lunch slightly after 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m. is not so unreasonable when solar noon in Madrid is after 1 p.m. in winter and 2 p.m. in summer
– Henry
Nov 28 at 21:02
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
There are small meals between lunch and dinner, these are called "Dunch" which is a combination of Lunch and Dinner. (It can also be called "Linner")
If you eat a meal between breakfast and lunch it is called brunch, which is more well known.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/dunch
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/submission/545/linner
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
There are small meals between lunch and dinner, these are called "Dunch" which is a combination of Lunch and Dinner. (It can also be called "Linner")
If you eat a meal between breakfast and lunch it is called brunch, which is more well known.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/dunch
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/submission/545/linner
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
There are small meals between lunch and dinner, these are called "Dunch" which is a combination of Lunch and Dinner. (It can also be called "Linner")
If you eat a meal between breakfast and lunch it is called brunch, which is more well known.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/dunch
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/submission/545/linner
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
There are small meals between lunch and dinner, these are called "Dunch" which is a combination of Lunch and Dinner. (It can also be called "Linner")
If you eat a meal between breakfast and lunch it is called brunch, which is more well known.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/dunch
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/submission/545/linner
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
answered Nov 28 at 21:56
Holly Plyler
792
792
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
1
1
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
IME brunch is eaten instead of breakfast and lunch rather than between them.
– Timbo
Nov 29 at 0:07
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Sometimes, but with these terms I picture them as "social" events more than eating habits. Some people having already eating breakfast, may eat brunch to catch up with their friends or relatives.
– Holly Plyler
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
Fair point! In any case, the most important part of brunch is the mimosas or bloody maries.
– Timbo
2 days ago
add a comment |
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9
As merienda no longer has a definitive meaning, it might be easily translated into English with an English term with an indefinite meaning; tea. Tea is often a small meal taken in the afternoon.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:03
@J.Taylor indeed! "A light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes." You could add that as an answer.
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:12
I'm not sure there is a proper answer here. Instead of translating, one should use the local term. In my mind, explaining merienda is better than trying to translate it.
– J. Taylor
Nov 28 at 10:17
1
as a side note, the term is present also in Italian as merenda but it has survived mainly to refer to mid-morning snack break that children have at primary schools.
– user240918
Nov 28 at 10:18
@user240918 in Spanish (at least in the area where I live) that mid-morning snack the children have is known as "merendilla" (a small merienda).
– Charlie
Nov 28 at 10:21