Just checking-if you were planning a weekend with friends at someone's house and I said

[BertrandRussell]

"shall we do a pot luck supper on
Saturday night?" what would you think I meaner?

I went to one this summer where no less than 8 people brought deviled eggs!

I'd assume it was the same as what my mum calls an American supper, where everyone brings a dish to share. Usually far more than they'd eat so everyone gets to stuff their faces.

I'm in the USA so know what a pot luck dinner is, it's best to have a list of what's needed drinks, appetizers, mains, sides, desserts and everyone picks or is assigned one so you avoid the ten buckets of potato salad scenario. Not sure how that would work on a weekend away at someone's house though. Depends how many people are going to be fighting over kitchen space creating their 'specialty' or if you're expecting people to bring their dish with them which might be a gaff if a long journey by train or something. I'd probably suggest getting in pizza or other a take away if you're planning a night in.

*faff not gaff stupid keyboard.

I would lnow what it was as I used to live in st johns wood. So huge expat community there.

But before that I was utterly clueless. I would probally clarify what was meant.

I never heard about this but I’m not very active socially. I would just assume that you are doing something from what’s on your fridge/cupboards and won’t clarify.

I live in the US so would know what you meant.

But the first time they organised a 'chili chowder cook-off' at work here I was very confused for a while.

I would have assumed it to mean you would be rummaging in the fridge , freezers , and cupboards and just throwing something together,

Me too Crispbutty.

We have pot lucks but you are drawn a course - to avoid ALL starters, salads or deserts.

It wouldn't make sense in the context you're using it, but I'd automatically use it to mean "a get what you're given" meal, that hasn't been planned yet!

Safari suppers are fun, but very miserable if it's raining.

We go away with a big group every year and have a pot luck on the first night, but we cheat a little and set a theme eg curry, Mediterranean so that it's not a total mish-mash.

Pot luck at home means you're welcome to stay for tea but I've nothing in or planned so you'll have what we're having padded out a bit.

I'm in the US and have a potluck means to bring a dish. To take pot luck would mean we're having whatever is in the kitchen.

I've never heard the term 'Safari Supper'. We call it a 'Progressive Dinner'. They're quite fun, especially as now with Uber you don't have to drive so you can 'imbibe'.

I love progressive parties too (also in US). You'd usually do them in a neighbourhood though, I think, where people can walk from house to house? We did it in ours where several people had had major renos done and everyone got to see them over the evening. It's not as tricky as it sounds - just a make-ahead oven dish if you've got the main course, and I think for pudding I did some kind of tray bake or square.

That said, when I lived in UK I never ever lived in a neighbourhood where people knew each other/liked each other well enough to do this!

In the UK it's a Jacob's Join.

Jacob’s join is the term I grew up (in Lancashire) knowing.

A pot luck supper is when I look in the cupboard and throw something together because I can't be bothered with cooking - last night it was a quick thai curry.

your not out of step hun.its obviously from this thread means different to different people.no wrong version.are they going to now bring a dish?

Everyone brings a dish of food.
Some planning does help with this, ie a salad, main or pudding.

It's an American term. It means that everyone contributes something , ie I'll bring the appetisers, you bring a salad, John will bring a casserole etc.

Here is some info on them - www.thespruce.com/rules-for-potluck-parties-1197209

I've tried this before. The level of planning in order to avoid the potato salad situation sucks all the fun out of it. It can be a massive ball ache, plus other people's questionable cooking practices, plus travel/reheating etc.

Just get a takeaway and enjoy your time together.

I'd think you'd been watching too many slightly dated American sitcoms.

I've just found out what a Safari Supper is thanks to this thread. Omg what an utter nightmare!

I’d have known exactly what you meant.