What is the difference between supper and dinner? How about Coke, pop, or soda? Why are so many words used for the same basic idea. By definition dinner is the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday. Where as Supper means the evening meal, often the principal meal of the day.
So the only real difference is whichever sounds better. Traditionally Dinner is used in the Northern states and “civilized” Midwestern cities. It usually takes place around 5:30pm or 6:30 pm. On farms it was closer to noon, since it was the main meal of the day. It is considered more of a sophistocated meal.
Supper on the other hand is used mainly in the south, taking place around nightfall and in a home surrounded by family. It is only called supper because in the south dinner is often used to replace the word lunch. It would take place somewhere between 5pm and 9pm. Supper is rarely considered the main meal of the day since it’s closer to bedtime.
So is there a proper way to announce the meal we eat last? I have been scrutinized for saying dinner instead of supper… am I wrong? Are they? Should it matter when now the word lunch has become common around the entire United States? It’s hard to say what I feel about this. It’s so strange how differnt parts of a country that claims to speak the same language can go around having multiple “right” words.. all for the same subject; coke, pop, soda; hare rabbit, bunny;supper,dinner;dinner,lunch; and so forth and so on.
Is there one correct word for any of these subjects? Or does the human race, especially the American race enjoy tormenting those new to the area because of a simple word made only to enhance the literature?
~Dark Angel