AIBU to ask which is the most neutral term dinner, supper or tea?

[ConfusedWife1234]

AIBU to ask which the most neutral term for dinner/supper/tea is? I am not a native speaker and I have been told that your usage of the word says a lot about ethnic ancestry, social class, if your are from the UK, US or another English speaking country, part of the country and so on. Which is the most neutral term and when do I use which one?

How do English nobility say noblesse oblige in posher less French words?
They might say they are a philanthropist (which isn't particularly English either, the roots are in Greek) or benevolent (French again!) but most would probably not talk about their good works at all.

literally "privilege entails responsibility".

But it is one of the french expressions which it is OK to use in the original language. Like Croissant.

Nancy Mitford is responsible for making the phrase "Noblesse Oblige" well known in the English language.

We’ve always used loo, but when I’ve asked in pubs etc., I sometimes get a funny look.

Is ‘loo’ rude?

Shockers I think it's one of those things that can be mistaken (somewhat along Hyacinth Bucket lines). At primary school (cheap regional private school, fairly lower middle class culturally) I remember teachers saying that 'loo' was slang and correcting it to 'toilet'.

I use the U terms in the main. But not lunch or supper. I can't bear them.

@sporadic rains I did ask because @BetrandRussel said that french was typically less posh than English. We have the same thing in the German language too, French and English words sound less posh then the equivalent German words. We do have a lot of mock English words such as Handy (for mobile phone). They sound the least posh at all.
However I personally do believe that réchaud and noblesse oblige sound more posh than the German equivalents... not sure if other Germans do agreee... oh... and I think that noblesse oblige is more often than not used in jest.
Off topic. You mentioned people being a philanthropist. Very interesting. I think that is something that is special about the UK or I have been told so... that you are far less likely to discuss good works, scientific achievement or acts of bravery than other Europeans.

BTW totally enjoyed the discussion about English culture and origin of the words a few pages before. Think I forgot to Thankyou on the thread before. (I also have been told to say Thankyou more often to the Brits, Germans often think Thankyou but do not say it because their way of talking is more matter of factly and less polite).

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Pudding not dessert

I'm from Newcastle and have breakfast in the morning , dinner at lunchtime and tea in the evening and supper is a snack before bed

OP, I spend a lot of time in Germany and have never noticed that Germans don't say thank you! I hear Danke all the time!

There are some phrases which simply don't translate well and are better used in the original language.

Noblesse oblige is one.
Plus ca change could be another.
Or, in your language, schadenfreude (I know technically that's a word not a phrase)

That's a bit different to, say, serviette & napkin.

You are being quite literal, which is a Garman characteristic I love by the way.

German not Garman!

Oh, they do say Thankyou... but there is the stereotype which may or not may be true that the English are more like...

Er.... do you know that joke about two men drowning. German yells „Help me, I am drowning“, Englishman yells“Exuse me, Sir... would you mind taking some time and safe me from drowning if it is not too much of an effort for you. Thanks a lot“.

Isn‘t spitefulness a bit like Schadefreude by the way? Not sure about spitefulness but I always thought it was something like this.

Similar sentiment OP, but spitefulness means malevolence towards someone - wishing them ill - whereas I believe schadenfreude means taking pleasure in the misfortune of another - ie.e it is a more passive sentiment. You don't actively wish something bad on the person, but if it happens you are quite pleased that it did.

So the spiteful person is full of Schadenfreude but also wishes ad thins on the other person. I see...