Do you understand the term "elevenses"?

[redskyanight]

My company has decided to introduce a monthly "elevenses" where they will provide drinks and biscuits and staff are encouraged to come and talk to colleagues they don't normally speak to.

I was chatting about this at home and 20 year old DS said he'd absolutely no idea what "elevenses" were and had never heard the term before. DH reckons it is an old fashioned concept these days and will be incomprehensible to anyone under 35.

So, straw poll - have you/ your DC heard of elevenses and is this now an outdated term?

There was an ad jingle for a biscuit called Elevenses back in the 70s. 'When it's round about eleven, it's Elevenses for me!' I can't remember what the biscuits were like, even though I suspect I might have eaten them. Round I think? Anyway, yes I knew Elevenses was basically break time when you had some squash (or tea/coffee if an adult) and a biscuit. A mint Yo-yo or a Penguin in my case!

Yes, but I'm 63.

I remember my mum stopping for elevenses on non-schooldays.

Makes me think of the "beavers" in Ballet Shoes.

It was a common term for a quick break, but hadn't realised it's not a common phrase Now at all. We also used 'baggin' as phrase for snack time more often at 3pm. Drink and a biscuit. Not sure that's used anymore

In Scotland we have elevenses and threeses - I always assumed it stemmed from the hard physical work of ship building and mining where men stopped for a refuel in between 9 & 1 and between 1 & 6

not heard it in a corporate setting but : "elevenses" typically refers to a short break taken at around 11 a.m. for a snack or refreshment, especially a tea or coffee break.

I'm very late 60s and know elevenses, but never had it while in the UK.

Here in Australia it's called morning tea, and nicely coincided with the morning break at my last school. It was always a special occasion, with muffins/sausage rolls/ party pies and is usually a thank you/ celebration/ someone leaving on parental leave, etc.

I'm late thirties and know the term, but it's not something I do regularly. DS is only 4 he doesn't know it yet, but is likely to appreciate the concept. He's an avid listener of Enid Blyton on his Yoto player at the moment so it's only a matter of time

I know what it means but am in my 50s so probably don't count (I find that a lot these days!). Whether or not the term is in common usage, however, it doesn't really matter. I think it's a lovely idea for the company to do, and nothing wrong with bringing back "elevenses"! Also it's not really a difficult concept to grasp. No-one will be sitting there going "Elevenses! I'm not going as I have no idea what that is! Could be anything!" You can grasp the idea from the fact that you are being invited to chat and drink tea/coffee/eat biscuits at about 11. If not, I am sure people can ask, lots of people will know what it is.

I'm 45 and it was a word often used in my childhood. My DC have heard the term, probably when visiting my mum, but we don't use it much day-to-day. It's been replaced by "snack" i imagine, which is less time specific but a much less pleasant word overall. I might try and reinstate it at home!

I'm late 50s. In my first proper job the cleaner would arrive and make a tray of tea / coffee for everyone before she started cleaning.

But I think these days places have a kettle in the office and people can make a drink when they want and drink while working.

OP I think it is a great idea for your workplace, people actually stopping and having a break.

Does anyone else remember 'coffee mornings'?

We lived on a new build estate for a couple of years in the 1970s, most of the women didn't drive or work. Every so often would have a coffee morning which meant making a big pot of milky instant coffee and possibly baking a cake and half a dozen women would turn up and just chill and chat.

The coffee pot was like an elongated teapot with the spout at the top and in a garish 70s design.

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I’m 33 and use the term.

Yes, I know what it means, as do my adult children. I actually work somewhere very, very traditional (centuries old traditions) and we do this. We have coffee/tea (or water, whatever you want) there are biscuits, and sometimes cake if someone has made one. We are a very closely bonded, collegiate workplace 😁 I love it.

In the old days "snacking" (shudder at the word) was not a thing. 3 meals a day and something-a hot drink and a biscuit-mid morning and mid afternoon. This happened in families and in many if not most workplaces. Not going to go into what these "eating opportunities" were called because who needs another class signifier thread! 😉

I know what it is and i am not from the UK. But we have elevenses at the weekends - usually coffee or tea and a bit of cake for those in the family who like cake (not me) and for me perhaps a little crostini with cheese / grapes. So my 13 and 11 year olds both know what it is.

never occurred to me that the word had fallen out of favour! I am quite sad about that!

Yes, in very common usage growing up (in my sixties now). I still use it occasionally. My grandmother always called it "Vornins" (Devonian term, from before noon presumably) - her father's family were from Devon.

Wasn't there a advert couple of years ago promoting elevenses. Belvita?

It is not a old saying at all.

Not posh but we have elevenses at the weekend . Just a drink and toast/ crumpets when it’s cold. Bit of fruit and a biscuit when warm.

Keeps the dc going till lunch. I prefer doing a proper snack time than endless grazing.

I had elevenses growing up (late 40s) and I have it now with whichever children happen to be here at elevenses time.

I always thought it was the Paddington Bear phrase for morning tea?

I'm in my forties and have heard it from my grandma.

I'm 36 and I know it, and use it. It's a hot drink and a biscuit or cake at 11am. My mom always said it. We'd also say 'four o' clockies' and it took me a while to realise that wasn't real! I still think 11am and 4pm the kettle should be on!

My DS is 7 months old, but he will know it because I'll be saying it to him.

Always had elevenses in our house….my Dad also introduced afternoonses, same thing at 3pm. The DC have inherited the language !

I understand it. I asked 22yo Dd if she did and she said yes but only because of spending so much time as a toddler with my mum. Who also used to talk about “3 o’clocksies”.

Dd reckoned if it wasn’t for my mum she wouldn’t have known so is suspicious other people her age won’t have a clue. Though my argument is they will have had grandparents too.

I agree, I'm amazed at so many posters not knowing, my children have been brought up with '"you can't have your elevenses at 9.30' and every other time before 11

They certainly don't think it's an old fashioned word