Defining a Meal: What Do We Call Lunch and Dinner?

New findings on how the terminology for meals evolved and the emergence of hybrid meals.

Introduction

The concept of a meal, whether it's lunch, dinner, brunch, or a combination thereof, has been an evolving process influenced by various cultural, social, and historical factors. The term for a meal that combines lunch and dinner is rarely recognized, and the lack of a specific word has led to the creative use of terms like lupper, brunch, and others. This exploration delves into the origins of meal terms, the lack of a standardized name for a combined lunch and dinner, and the cultural context that supports these terms.

The Term for a Combined Lunch and Dinner

While there is no widely recognized term for a meal that combines lunch and dinner, a few creative names have emerged. Some of these names include:

“Lupper”: A combination of lunch and supper, used informally by some. “Brunch” (breakfast lunch): While still not a perfect fit, brunch is the most commonly used term for a combined meal. “Merenda Sinoira”: A specific term used in Piedmont, Italy, for a midday meal combining lunch and dinner. “Lunner” and “Lupper”: Other creative terms that haven't gained widespread acceptance. “Dich” and “Dunch”: Additional terms that were suggested but deemed unsuitable.

Cultural Context and Meal Time Traditions

The way people eat is deeply influenced by cultural and historical contexts. For example, in traditional farming communities, dinner was the main meal of the day. Farmers would typically eat a substantial dinner at noon, after a full day of work, and would be ravenous at that time. This practice was common in many rural areas, including where the writer's mother's relatives lived. They often had dinner at around 1:00 PM, after attending church.

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On Sundays, we had supper in the evening since we already had dinner at our normal lunch time, so it was a lighter meal.

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In contrast, the word “supper” often implies a smaller meal eaten in the late afternoon or evening. It is a term that typically refers to a lighter meal, often eaten after a heavier one, like lunch or dinner.

Meal Terminology and Usage

While there is no standardized term for a meal that combines lunch and dinner, it's helpful to understand the differences in terms like:

“Dinner”: The main meal of the day, often eaten at any time, though traditionally around noon in many cultures. “Supper”: A smaller meal eaten later in the day, typically in the late afternoon or evening. “Brunch”: A combination of breakfast and lunch, typically eaten in the late morning to mid-afternoon. “Lupper”, “Lunner”, “Lupper”, “Dunch”, and “Linch”: Creative terms that have emerged but haven't gained widespread acceptance.

These terms and combinations exist to bridge the gap between the traditional meal times and to describe a meal that incorporates elements of both lunch and dinner.

Conclusion

While the lack of a universally recognized term for a combined lunch and dinner meal presents a challenge, the cultural and social practices continue to influence and evolve these meal terms. From the recognition of “brunch” to the creative use of “lupper,” the terminology reflects the dynamic nature of food and meal practices.

Keywords: lunch, dinner, lupper, brunch, merenda.