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Original poster

Picky bits?

260 replies

HelenInHeels · 03/01/2025 17:05

I hate this! I saw it on a M&S advert and it gave me the willies. I don't know why it sounds gross but it puts me off food as does 'dirty' fries. Yeuch!

OP posts:
Mumofyellows · 03/01/2025 20:21

I think I call this nibbles?! I hate Picky bits, but I can't think what I would actually call this aside from nibbles or "a cheese board and nibbles" 🤣

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:23

Mumofyellows · 03/01/2025 20:21

I think I call this nibbles?! I hate Picky bits, but I can't think what I would actually call this aside from nibbles or "a cheese board and nibbles" 🤣

Well you wouldnt call it a picky tea like M&S. Who are they appealing to? People from Sunderland?

Nordione1 · 03/01/2025 20:25

Mumofyellows · 03/01/2025 20:21

I think I call this nibbles?! I hate Picky bits, but I can't think what I would actually call this aside from nibbles or "a cheese board and nibbles" 🤣

"Load of left over crap from back of fridge"? Even that sounds more appetising than picky bits tea. Vom..

Magpiecomplex · 03/01/2025 20:26

My grandfather used to call this sort of thing a cold collation. We tend to go with indoor picnic.

DottyDodger · 03/01/2025 20:27

My DH calls it 'a bitza' as in 'a bit of this and a bit of that'

Vom.

Rosesgrowonyou · 03/01/2025 20:27

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:09

Its all a bit council. Nobody with an ounce of class says pick bits or picky tea.

No one with an ounce of class calls something 'a bit council'

KimFan · 03/01/2025 20:29

Freezer Tapas 🤣

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:29

I've heard it called a "party tea" which is a bit less council but buffet/nibbles fits the bill.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 03/01/2025 20:32

BobbyBiscuits · 03/01/2025 17:53

It does sound naff. And unhygienic. Like lots of people all picking up food and double dipping all over the place.
The phrase 'gives me the willies' is pretty unpleasant to my ears. For obvious reasons!

I was thinking this!

ooooohnoooooo · 03/01/2025 20:33

For a leftovers bits and pieces meal, my bro calls it 'rubble'. I quite like that.

nationalsausagefund · 03/01/2025 20:34

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:29

I've heard it called a "party tea" which is a bit less council but buffet/nibbles fits the bill.

DD would be FEWMIN if I said party tea (triangle sandwiches, chocolate fingers, party rings, iced gems, pink panther biscuits) and delivered fridge forage (cucumber sticks, the cold broccoli from lunch (DS hoovers it), cheddar, crackers, hummus, gherkins, pickled eggs, random sausages, and tonight’s piece de resistance, leftover Bombay potato).

soupfiend · 03/01/2025 20:37

Nordione1 · 03/01/2025 19:39

It's the worst.

What's wrong with a wonderful spread?

Trades description violation

3 jalapeno bites, just in the bag as the box was binned, 5 mini sausage rolls, mini brie with half of it already gone, some bread, red cabbage, half jars of pickled onions and olives, spouts because theres plenty, 7 pigs in blankets

Picky bits.

BackOfTheMum5net · 03/01/2025 20:39

HansHolbein · 03/01/2025 17:15

Reminds me of scabs. I don’t know why.

This. Bleurgh!

High tea, a buffet, grazing board, a smorgasbord, tapas… So many decent options that don’t sound like scabs!

CoraTheExplora · 03/01/2025 20:40

Freezer tapas

twiddleit · 03/01/2025 20:42

@Rosesgrowonyou

Aw thank you! That's is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me on MN.

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:44

A spread!!!

twiddleit · 03/01/2025 20:47

DottyDodger · 03/01/2025 20:27

My DH calls it 'a bitza' as in 'a bit of this and a bit of that'

Vom.

Yes! Does he originate from Hertfordshire?

See my post above.

You are weird.

Nikitaspearlearring · 03/01/2025 21:03

SneakyLilNameChange · 03/01/2025 20:14

This made me laugh ‘it’s a wonderful spread tonight family’ pointing at some leftover crackers, pork pies, sliced chicken and whatever else I’ve thrown together out the fridge.

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My mum would call this a Bitsa tea. As in bitsa this, bitsa that.

2025willbemyyear · 03/01/2025 21:21

We have an actual “picky bits” close by, although seems to be a knockoff Sandwich Sandwich but at higher prices! Not sure what puts me off more the name or the prices…

https://www.instagram.com/pickybits/?hl=en

DottyDodger · 03/01/2025 21:35

twiddleit · 03/01/2025 18:32

We call it a 'bitsa'

Because (obviously) it's bits 'a this and bits 'a that.

I'm in my 60s and rapidly realising my family are weird. We grew up thinking things were perfectly normal and realising now they weren't!

Not sure it makes me weird - just not a fan!

litepop · 03/01/2025 21:36

Comportment · 03/01/2025 20:09

Its all a bit council. Nobody with an ounce of class says pick bits or picky tea.

Apart from M&S

From what my Dd says it also sounds like one of the on-trend saying from tik tok / social media. That alone would stop me using it but saying it's 'council' is just absolute snobbery

Comportment · 03/01/2025 21:39

litepop · 03/01/2025 21:36

Apart from M&S

From what my Dd says it also sounds like one of the on-trend saying from tik tok / social media. That alone would stop me using it but saying it's 'council' is just absolute snobbery

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It's a "bit council"... Its a thread title now onto its 6th iteration on another forum I frequent.

Original poster
HelenInHeels · 03/01/2025 22:24

Nordione1 · 03/01/2025 19:49

Oh I know! And people on social media even referring to make-up they bought as "picking up some bits". Yuk.

I don't have a problem with bits and bobs though. As long as it's not "bits n bobs"

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I can't stand using n instead of and

OP posts:
Onlyvisiting · 03/01/2025 22:33

PennyApril54 · 03/01/2025 20:08

I'm not sure what people mean when they say this but I have got the impression before it's frowned upon on mumsnet 🤣
We have olives, meats, cheeses, crackers that sort of thing and just call it an anti pasti board. Is that what it means?

No, I think it's when you get all the random leftovers and odds and ends out and chuck it on the table for everyone to fight over the best bits.
Not something I've every really done living on my own as I don't have leftovers really so it's not a thing I've needed a name for!
But cold meat, cheese, crackers etc is a (delicious) planned meal. Picky bits would be 2 slides of leftovers pizza, half a pack of olives, end of the bag of sausages rolls, half a pie. That kind of thing.

PennyApril54 · 03/01/2025 22:37

Onlyvisiting · 03/01/2025 22:33

No, I think it's when you get all the random leftovers and odds and ends out and chuck it on the table for everyone to fight over the best bits.
Not something I've every really done living on my own as I don't have leftovers really so it's not a thing I've needed a name for!
But cold meat, cheese, crackers etc is a (delicious) planned meal. Picky bits would be 2 slides of leftovers pizza, half a pack of olives, end of the bag of sausages rolls, half a pie. That kind of thing.

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Thank you!

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