The Great American Meal Debate: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Supper?

By Larry Billinger

Bite into History: A Culinary Journey Through Meal Names

Ever found yourself puzzled at the dinner table—or should I say, the lunch table? This article was sparked by my step-dad, Jim, a proud Nebraskan who staunchly calls the 12pm meal ‘dinner’. This leaves the rest of us scratching our heads every time, wondering if we missed a memo from the Meal Naming Committee. Jim insists it’s the Nebraskan way, but really, what’s in a meal name? Well, folks, grab a snack and buckle up as we embark on a culinary quest to decode the enigmatic nomenclature of our daily bread, inspired by Jim and his midday ‘dinner’.

Breakfast: The Dawn Delight

• Origins: Old English ‘break’ + ‘fast’ (ending a night’s fasting).
• Time: Typically 6-9 AM.
• Fun Fact: In medieval Europe, eating breakfast was frowned upon. It was a sign of gluttony!

Lunch: The Midday Munch

• Origins: Short for ‘luncheon’, believed to be from the Spanish ‘lonja’ (a slice).
• Time: Usually noon to 2 PM.
• Regional Quirk: In parts of the South, “dinner” can actually mean lunch!

Dinner: The Prime-Time Plate

• Origins: From Old French ‘disnar’, meaning main meal.
• Time: Traditionally, the largest meal is around midday. Now, often in the evening (5-8 PM).
• Did You Know? In the 18th century, dinner shifted later in the day as artificial lighting improved.

Supper: The Nightcap Nosh

• Origins: Old French ‘souper’, meaning evening meal.
• Time: Lighter meal, post-dinner, around 7-9 PM.
• Fun Tidbit: “Supper” is more commonly used in rural areas and among older generations.

Cultural Cuisine: A Global Glimpse of Meal Names

Delving into the global kitchen, meal names and times offer a feast of cultural diversity:

• Spain: Known for late dinners, often after 9 PM.
• Italy: ‘Pranzo’ for lunch and ‘Cena’ for dinner, with regional variances in timing.
• Japan: ‘Asa-gohan’ for breakfast, ‘Hiru-gohan’ for lunch, and ‘Ban-gohan’ for dinner, emphasizing ‘gohan’ (rice) as a staple.
• India: Breakfast varies by region, with ‘Dopahar ka bhojan’ for lunch and ‘Raat ka bhojan’ for dinner in Hindi, times differing based on cultural norms.

Historical Feasts: The Evolution of Meal Times and Names

Meal times and names have been a fluid feast throughout history:

• Ancient Rome: One main meal (‘cena’) in the afternoon.
• Middle Ages: The nobility often ate two meals a day, while peasants usually had one.
• 17th Century: The introduction of new foods from the Americas and increased trade changed eating habits, leading to more defined meal times.
• Industrial Revolution: Work schedules led to more rigid meal times, shaping the breakfast, lunch, and dinner structure.

Regional Rendezvous: A U.S. Menu Map

Is there a “correct” American way to name meals? Not quite! It’s a regional recipe:

Morning Meal: Breakfast

• All States: Universally referred to as “breakfast” across the United States.

Noon Meal: Lunch vs. Dinner

• Lunch: Predominantly used in:
  • Northeastern States: Such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
  • West Coast States: Including California, Oregon, and Washington.
  • Northern States: Like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
• Dinner: This term for the noon meal is more common in:
  • Southern States: Like Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia.
  • Midwest States: Including Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Evening Meal: Dinner vs. Supper

• Dinner: The more commonly used term in:
  • Most States: Especially urban and metropolitan areas across the U.S.
• Supper: More prevalent in:
  • Rural Areas: Across various states, especially in the Midwest and parts of the South.
  • Older Generations: More likely to use “supper” regardless of state.

Regional Variations

• South and Midwest: These regions exhibit the most variation, with some areas using “dinner” for the noon meal and “supper” for the evening meal.
• Cultural Influences: Meal names might also reflect those influences in areas with strong cultural or immigrant communities.