Senior managing editor and logophile Andy Hollandbeck reveals the sometimes surprising roots of common English words and phrases. Remember: Etymology tells us where a word comes from, but not what it means today.
Human eating habits have changed over time.
No, this isn’t about trans fats, processed foods, fast food, or even the disappearance (actual or perceived) of families regularly eating together at a table. It’s about words: Human eating habits have changed over time, and they’ve changed language along with it.
Let’s start with the first meal of the day.
In Latin, we have the word jejunus, meaning “hungry or fasting,” which in Late Latin gave us the verb jejunare (or ieiunare; the story of i and j is fascinating, but not what you’re here for), meaning “to fast.” Eating is the exact opposite of fasting, so in Vulgar Latin we have disjejunare (or disieiunare), using the dis- “do the opposite of” prefix. Disjejunare, then, literally means “to stop one’s not-eating.”
Or, to put it in sturdy, Germanic Old English, “to break a fast.” Breakfast, of course, is generally the first meal of the day for English speakers. Spanish speakers can still see the Latin remnants of disieiunare in the Spanish word for “breakfast”: desayuna.
But elsewhere, some things happened as Latin passed through French and into English.
Disjejunare presumably led to the Old French desjeuner which stayed the same in Middle French but became déjeuner after modern spelling reforms. It was still “breakfast” in those olden times, but these days you’re just as likely to hear the word used to mean “lunch,” with breakfast called petit-déjeuner.
But we also find in Old French a different shortening, disner, which meant, as a noun, “breakfast” and, as a verb, “to eat the first substantial meal of the day.” When these filtered into English, though, they weren’t necessarily used for the first meal, but for the main meal of the day, ultimately becoming the English words dinner and dine.
So what began as a Latin word for “breakfast” has evolved to also mean both “lunch” and “dinner.” How did this happen?
Here I return to human eating habits: Throughout Europe, by the Medieval era, the practice was generally to have the day’s main meal at mid-day, around lunchtime but modern standards. But for various reasons — including working hours and government schedules — the meal kept getting pushed further and further into the future, so that eventually it occurred in the evening.
But the word for the meal didn’t change! Even in French, the modern form of disner is dîner, which, though it shares an etymological root with petit-déjeuner, isn’t a morning meal.
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Comments
I have a different take on the use of Dinner. My grandmother referred to breakfast, lunch, and supper for specific meal times, but dinner moved around. I asked her about it and she said, “Dinner is the big meal of the day.” She then explained that she and Grandpa were up at 4 am, he went to milk the cows and start chores. She had to have breakfast on the table at 6am. It was a full breakfast because it had to last him until Noon. Things like bread, pancakes, etc. didn’t come from the grocery, they came from a sack of flour, eggs, etc. Dinner was the big meal at Noon. Supper was in the evening after all the chores were done. Supper was easy and small (and could likely include breakfast foods)
It’s pretty easy to see that Dinner moved to the evening meal when people moved away from the farm to the city, worked a 9 to 5 job, and weren’t home for a big midday meal.
Waffles and Bacon. 2nd to none as a dinner option. As you wander the waves of waffle-y goodness, each tiny crevice containing a delectable mix of warmed syrup and butter, your savory solution comes in the form of crispy thick sliced bacon. I’m hungry. It’s dinner.
Mmmm, those breakfast selections DO sound delicious anytime. I’d be more tempted in the cold winter months for dinner here and there. Of course with the most destructive governor of his own state in American history, it’s VERY unlikely we’ll ever have Waffle or Huddle House out here. The greaseball of filth just made it clear to the CEO of the newly revived Bed Bath & Beyond, he’ll make their trying to do business in California pure hell. The only other time the psychotic “I WANNA BE PRESIDENT! I WANNA BE PRESIDENT…” pathological liar’s told the truth.
Disjejunare, desjeuner both sound like they’re French only, without any Latin connection. But being a long time reader of ‘In a Word’ I know better. It is fascinating how ‘breakfast’ has evolved into meaning both lunch and dinner. This is something very few people know, and if they don’t believe me, I’ll just forward them this column!
I can eat breakfast anytime. Country Fried Steak, Sausage, Bacon, Tenderloin, Eggs, Biscuits, Sorghum, Gravy…..Bring it on! Often when on the road, I seek out restaurants that serve breakfast 24 hours a day. It’s hard to beat a Waffle House, Huddle House, etc. A good breakfast will always energize me for the day ahead. Truly, it is the most important meal of the day. Has been. Always will be.