tea time

[Peter Jiong]

“I’m sorry I’m late for tea,” she said, on entering the drawing-room.
“My dear,” said Miss Ley, “the buttered toast is probably horrid, but I don’t see why you should not eat cake.”

From Mrs. Craddock (set in the late 19th century) by W Somerset Maugham

What is the "tea" time in England? Is it "high tea", "low tea" or "afternoon tea"?

 

[Tarheel]

“I’m sorry I’m late for tea,” she said, on entering the drawing-room.
“My dear,” said Miss Ley, “the buttered toast is probably horrid, but I don’t see why you should not eat cake.”

From Mrs. Craddock (set in the late 19th century) by W Somerset Maugham

What is [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] "tea" time in England? Is it "high tea", "low tea" or "afternoon tea"?

Oh goodness! (I'm pretty sure Ems knows this one.)

 

[GoesStation]

What is the "tea" time in England? Is it "high tea", "low tea" or "afternoon tea"?

In some parts of England and Scotland and among certain classes, "tea" is the evening main meal that most other Anglophones call "dinner" or "supper". Buttered toast and cake are not the main features of this meal, so I think Maugham is referring to afternoon tea, a light snack served between 3:30 and 5:00 PM.

 

[jutfrank]

I assume it's afternoon tea.

 

[emsr2d2]

It will be afternoon tea. The evening meal wouldn't have been referred to as "tea" in the late nineteenth century.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

And as Sir Mick Jagger defiantly sang: "I got nasty habits! I take tea at three!"