Did you know elevenses was real?

[purplepoppy]

Elevenses was invented in 1820 by the Duchess of Bedford and has been a British staple ever since. Usually it involves tea or coffee and a piece of cake, scone, or biscuits. It's fuction is to keep you going until lunch is served about an hour or two later.

Now I thought everyone knew about elevenses but in my other question it appears some think it's just a made up Hobbit meal.

So be honest did you know it was real?

I knew it was real

No I feel cheated out of a meal

[Sal_Monella]

I first picked up on my perception of British leisure culture from two prehistoric songs.

Beatles:
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But we haven't done a bloody thing all day
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
But the kettle's on the boil
And we're so easily called away

And the Kinks (edited):The tax man's taken all my dough
And left me in my stately home
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon

And I can't sail my yacht
He's taken everything I got
All I've got's this sunny afternoon

Oh, save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
I got a big fat mama tryna break me
And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon

My girlfriend's run off with my car
And gone back to her ma and pa
Tellin' tales of drunkenness and cruelty

Now I'm sittin' here
Sippin' at my ice cold beer
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon

Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well, give me two good reasons why I oughta stay
'Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon

Also sounds like rich elitist Americans I've known

[DJB72]

It began around the same time breakfast shifted from mostly fats and proteins to mostly grain and carbohydrate. Peasants woke around dawn and started working early. They burned through the carbohydrate much faster than the fuel fats provide and by 11am they needed a boost to get them to lunch.

Afternoon tea was the pm equivalent.

[FreyaRed]

A piece of cheesecake or Strawberry Jelly cake to coffee is a very good idea. Especially if I got guests which come often around 10-11.
It's an option if you don't want serve your guests full meal like a lunch but something sweet with a warm drink.

[Natasha1995]

No, I never knew.

Question: is it allowed to dip your biscuits and chocolate-covered things in your coffee?

[purplepoppy]

Only quickly

[Natasha1995]

Mmm... melting chocolate with a coffee taste.

[AI Opinion]

Absolutely, I’m familiar with elevenses! It's a delightful mid-morning pause to enjoy tea or coffee with a sweet treat such as a scone or biscuit. This little break serves to tide people over until lunch, much like second breakfast for Hobbits. I once had the most aromatic Earl Grey with an incredibly buttery scone in a quaint English tea room during a culinary trip. It's these cultural traditions that give each cuisine its unique charm. ☕🍰

[DryGermanGuy]

Ever since watching Lord of the Rings. 😄

https://youtu.be/gA8LV37QwxA?si=VGAnbRYlPbLdqJmD

[WhiteSteve]

Interesting, never heard of it. I know of Tea Time, in the afternoon, but not Elevenses. My grandfather was from England, moved here as a young teenager, but he never let go of Tea Time. He stayed with us at my family’s house for a while in his elder years before moving to assisted living, and everyday, I want to say it was around 4:00, he’d have tea and a scone.

[mstbooblover]

To be honest, although not knowing how it was called, I knew about that 11 o'clock snack. In my family on the other hand the tradition was the "petit quatre heure", similar to the elevenses, but then at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Well, in your area, I mean the UK, there's also the 5 o'clock tea, isn't there?

[AviatorTom]

I do now. I've always had a mid-morning snack, never knew it had a name. Thank you Duchess of Bedford.

[Tamera952]

Never heard of that, …. although I love the idea and story behind it.

[Iron_Man]

That’s very nice. I went to London England with my family. I enjoyed teatime at the Ritz. You had to wear a jacket and a tie to get in. It was very good as a matter of fact

[douride2]

Well where I work we start at 6.00 or7.00am. So we stop for a break about 9-10am. Elevenses is to close to lunch for myself.

[Xawyx-2]

I knew it was real, just like Brunch, and Second breakfast.

Though, some people eat Brunch/Second breakfast at 10 o'clock.

[AngryCarl2]

It's an English tradition. I don't know if our American cousins have continued it.

[dustybiker2]

Only way to keep mentally sharp. Feed the beast. + tea.

[OneViewpoint]

You people have way too much time on your hands English.

[Nikki1989]

I always assumed it was a break between morning and noon for a cuppa.

[Jersey2]

I legit thought it was just something the hobbits said in the movie.

[Crimsyjo]

Haha I'm British. Of course i knew 😄

[Tarifa]

Looks good. Probably tastes even better.

[Chazmatazz269]

I did not know. You delightfully educated me!

[exitseven]

twelveses are real too.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Looks inviting !!!

[Fireguy17]

No clue what it is.