(no subject)

[naath]

Informal poll;

If I were to say to you "let us get afternoon tea?" what would you think I meant by that? Er, I mean to say 'what do you think afternoon tea is, practically speaking' not 'what do you think this means about my relationship with you'. English, the language of unclearness.

Comments

[lnr]

That particular phrase would mean at the very least a cup of tea and a scone with jam and cream, but could easily also include a full cakes/tea/sandwiches affair. Those who don't like tea can substitute coffee or hot chocolate, but even I'll have proper tea for afternoon tea.

In the department it would just be a cup of tea :)

If I asked "What shall we have for tea?" though I'd be talking about the evening meal sometimes also called dinner or supper. And so tea-time can be either 3ish (the time you'd normally have afternoon tea) or 6-8pm depending on context.

[nickys]

Sandwiches, cake and tea.

[artela]

Afternoon tea is:
Tea, with milk etc, served from a teapot into china cups
Sandwiches
Cakes / Petit Fours
Scones & Jam & Cream