What is ‘a round of toast’?

[NellBeau]

If someone says ‘a round of toast’ how many slices of bread would you assume that to be?

I’ve often heard people talk about rounds of toast but I’ve never actually known what a round is. I’ve always assumed it to mean 1 slice of bread. I thought a round was just another way of saying a slice.

My husband thinks a round of toast is two slices of bread because you can fit two slices in the toaster so one round of toasting yields two slices.

Now that does make sense but what about people who have a 4 slice toaster? My husband thinks people with a 4 slice toaster have 4 slices in their round. But I’m not sure that’s correct as you often hear about people having ‘2 rounds of toast’. No one would eat 8 slices, even 4 slices is a lot surely?

It's really not. The same as its not like a round of golf. Totally different etymology.

Well 'a round of fucks' wouldn't be in plural if it was just one fuck. 🤷‍♀️

Who the fuck says 'a round of fucks'! Never heard that one

So in your view "round" is synonymous with "slice"?
Yes, because that's what it is.

It's like a round of drinks
No, it's not. It's totally a different word, with a different meaning.

Well then what's the word and its meaning? Where did it originate and why does "round" mean "slice" in this context?

Where did it originate and why does "round" mean "slice" in this context?

It apparently originates from the fact that loaves of bread were originally round in shape, so a slice would also be rounded in shape when cut from the loaf. Hence a 'round' of bread/toast

Somebody has linked to some of the different dictionary definitions if you want detailed etymology @bingbummy

The 'round' refers to the shape of the bread, so probably older in origin as most bread is rectangular now. It's just a slice basically.

A round of fucks? New one on me

I hear loads of people use it. Mostly men. It's roughly equivalent to giving somebody 'a bollocking'.

"If we mess this up again the boss will give us a round of fucks!"

One slice cut in half

That’s made my day.

this

but a round of sanwiches is 2 slices of bread with filling.

Also cut in half

I would have said two slices, was there a correct answer given?

A round of bread or a round of toast is one slice. The term just predates the supermarket rectangular loaf shape.

A round of sandwiches uses two slices of bread but it is one sandwich so it is still a 'singular' round.

I guess people have evolved different uses in their own families, maybe because is so long since loaves were rounded in shape and people have got confused, but historically that's what a round of bread was, and indeed still is according to the OED.

Yes, it's one @aryastarkwolf

Fascinating
What part of the country is this?

Blast!

PS Thanks 😁

Crikey 10 pages on toast already maybe I should start a thread called The Full English Breakfast reckon that could get to 100 😂

I was just thinking something similar!

Who cares???

shragan
Who the fuck says 'a round of fucks'! Never heard that one 

I hear loads of people use it. Mostly men. It's roughly equivalent to giving somebody 'a bollocking'.

"If we mess this up again the boss will give us a round of fucks!"

Oh really! 😅. I'd never heard that expression before.

I have to say @Galaktoboureko it was possibly the greatest get out of gaol free card I’ve ever seen.

Obviously you being as you've posted on the thread instead of hiding it?

I thought it just meant toast for everyone. Like a round of drinks. I don't care who gets a single vodka, who gets a double and who gets a coke it's still a round of drinks. Everyone gets something.

I've learnt that I'm wrong though thanks guys 🤣