Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Andie · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

What's difference between having dinner and having supper? According to the dictionary both of them are "main meals". Are they synonyms? Thanks!

fussy · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 29

Once I read from bbc.co.uk an article explaining about dinner and supper.

http://www0.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1535_questionanswer/page2.shtml

It may be what you want.

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

I think it also depends on where you live. When I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, we always used "supper" for the evening meal, unless it was a big deal, like a Thanksgiving dinner. When I came out to California, I found out no one used "supper" and everyone talked about "dinner." Now I use "dinner" too.

Lifter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Russia, Moscow

Very interesting topic. So if I had a good meal in the afternoon and the same in the evening I can say that I had dinner two times?
Or if you have a good meal in the afternoon (dinner) it will be supper in the evening in any case?

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

In the U.S. military, at least when I was a soldier, there were three meals: breakfast, dinner, and supper, in that order. No lunch, at least in the eyes of the mess sergeant.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

Andie · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks everyone! But I'm not sure if I've understood: all of you seem to have a different idea! Shocked

Now I'm confused... (though Lifter seems to be more confused than me!) I guess it's what Lorikeet says - it depends on where you live.