elevenses
British coffee break
Elevenses is a British term for a light snack or refreshment taken around eleven o'clock in the morning—tea or coffee with biscuits, typically.
The word captures the institutionalized mid-morning break in British culture: Shall we stop for elevenses?
Less common in American English, where the practice exists but lacks a dedicated name.
Temporary cessation of activity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- interludePause between sections
- refreshmentLight food or drink
- midmorningLate early day
recharge · breather · timeout · rest · pick-me-up · second breakfast · work break · energy boost
Small quick breads
- biscuitsSmall, leavened quick breads
- crumpetsSpongy griddle cakes
- teacakeSmall sweet bun
- pastriesSweet layered confections
muffins · toast · jam · butter · fruit · cheese · nuts · cake
Steeped leaf beverage
- sconesSmall quick breads
- crumpetsSpongy griddle cakes
- biscuitsSmall, leavened quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
marmalade · teapot · cuppa · Victoria sponge · Earl Grey · cucumber sandwiches · Assam · Darjeeling
Collection of people meeting
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- companionshipState of having company
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- colleaguesProfessional associates
friends · office kitchen · staff room · bonding · camaraderie · gossip · catch-up
Steeped leaf beverage
- coffeeBrewed bean beverage
- cocoaGround cacao seed powder
- latteEspresso with steamed milk
- cappuccinoEspresso with frothed milk
Earl Grey · Assam · Darjeeling · builder's tea · hot chocolate · herbal tea · chai
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- interludePause between sections
- refreshmentLight food or drink
midmorning · recharge · breather · timeout · rest · pick-me-up · second breakfast · work break · energy boost
scones
Small quick breads
pastries · muffins · toast · jam · butter · fruit · cheese · nuts · cake · shortbread
tea
Steeped leaf beverage
clotted cream · marmalade · teapot · cuppa · Victoria sponge · Earl Grey · cucumber sandwiches · Assam · Darjeeling · drawing room
gathering
Collection of people meeting
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- companionshipState of having company
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
colleagues · friends · office kitchen · staff room · bonding · camaraderie · gossip · catch-up
tea
Steeped leaf beverage
cappuccino · Earl Grey · Assam · Darjeeling · builder's tea · hot chocolate · herbal tea · chai
- Britishnesstea, London, BBC, Big Ben, royal family
- snack timesmid-morning, late morning, afternoon, mid-afternoon, coffee break
- tea breakcuppa, teapot, teacup, teabag, brew
- work breaksafternoon break, bathroom break, restroom break, smoke break, breather
- British Cuisinebangers and mash, bubble and squeak, full English, fry up, high tea
- Hobbitshobbit, hobbits, Bilbo, Hobbiton, Frodo
elevensesmidnight snack
Food eaten very late
supper · dinner · nightcap · afternoon tea · high tea
elevensesbanquet
Formal celebratory meal
feast · formal dinner · Christmas dinner · Sunday roast · three-course meal