Eat tea

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Marius Hancu - 05 May 2009 09:34 GMT

Hello:

Does "eat tea" mean here just drink tea, or having a full meal with it?

------
[Uncle Giles visits his nephew at the public-school residence/dormitory.
The boys offer him some 'tea.']

Checking the sausages with the paperknife, Stringham said: 'I'll get
another cup. You'll have tea with us, won't you?'

'Thank you, I never take tea,' said Uncle Giles. 'People who eat tea
waste half the afternoon. Never wanted to form the habit.' He added: 'Of
course, I'm not speaking about _your_ sort of tea.'

A Dance to the Music of Time, Spring, by Anthony Powell, p. 6
------

Signature

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

the Omrud - 05 May 2009 13:44 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> waste half the afternoon. Never wanted to form the habit.' He added: 'Of
> course, I'm not speaking about _your_ sort of tea.'

This is opening a huge can of class-ridden and north/south-hatred worms.
However, we know what it means in context of the posh folk.

Tea is a meal, but not what you might call a "full meal". It would
normally have consisted of sandwiches, meat pies, etc, cakes and tea (to
drink), but I suppose sausages could be included, especially if they are
to be put in the sandwiches.

Other meanings of "tea" are available.

Signature

David

Reply to this Message

Marius.Hancu@gmail.com - 05 May 2009 14:11 GMT

> > Does "eat tea" mean here just drink tea, or having a full meal with it?
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> drink), but I suppose sausages could be included, especially if they are
> to be put in the sandwiches.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

Reply to this Message

Peter Duncanson (BrE) - 05 May 2009 14:43 GMT

>> Hello:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Other meanings of "tea" are available.

For "All about British Life and Culture" try the website of Woodlands
Junior School, Kent, England.

For Tea:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/food/tea.htm

Signature

Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Reply to this Message

Django Cat - 05 May 2009 16:13 GMT

> >> Hello:
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> For Tea:
> http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/food/tea.htm

Brilliant site, I especially enjoyed 'Flat Stanley visits London'.

DC
--

Reply to this Message

Athel Cornish-Bowden - 05 May 2009 17:06 GMT

>>>> Hello:
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Brilliant site, I especially enjoyed 'Flat Stanley visits London'.

Yes, you took the words from my mouth.

In terms of the definition of "tea", I found the page Peter sent us to
remarkably accurate.

Signature

athel

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2009

Eat tea