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?

Unless it's got a breakfast bar with DIY toast where the quantity is in practice determined by the slowness of the toaster and the number of other guests wanting some, so you give up and eat pastries instead.

Accurate

Why are people still insisting it’s two slices when we’ve had definite proof it’s one slice in the form of a dictionary definition? 😆

It is one slice. It comes from when bread was homemade and basically round, so a slice would be round.

I think the idea of it being a ‘serving’ has got muddled up with the other sort of ‘round’ (understandably) which is a round of drinks. But they have a different etymology even though they’re both to do with food and drink.

So have I and a round is slice. As per the dictionary definition

Definitely one slice of toast.

Please someone explain what on earth are people doing ordering rounds of toast? You buy toast for the whole table? Where? Why? Surely you just order whatever you want and toast may be an option on the menu. “I’ll have toast please”. Who is saying let’s get 1/2/3 rounds of toast in?

@LikeTearsInRain
Is that a joke?

I have never heard the phrase round of toast in my life.

I say a round of toast as in 1 piece of toast. Not a round like a round of drinks

It's probably an old fashioned term now. Not something I've ever heard the younger generation using.

Okay. I was born in the 90s perhaps why. You just ask for toast or a piece of toast or X pieces of toast individually. Not a round for everyone

My 8 and 10 year old would ask for a round of toast or a round of bread.

It might be a regional thing also. I might have heard my grandparents use it, so was basing on that.

I'd just say a slice or piece or some toast. I do like how this thread has run on. The small things are often important topics of discussion!

“Okay. I was born in the 90s perhaps why. You just ask for toast or a piece of toast or X pieces of toast individually. Not a round for everyone”

It’s not for everyone. It’s one slice.

More than 1 slice, definitely, just like a round of drinks = for more than 1 person

the whole 'what is a sandwich' thing, though - a proper argument starter!! 😅

One use of the toaster or grill. Two slices.

Although you can now get 4 or 6 slot toasters but ignore that. 😁

@IncompleteSenten The phrase definitely pre-dates the toaster, so it can’t be that.

I am certain it refers to a round as in a round slice, from when loaves were more rounded. It has come muddled up with a ‘round’ as in a ‘round of drinks’, and the waters are doubly muddy because people used to use the phrase ‘a round of toastS’ to mean going round the table and each raising a glass (so ‘toasting’ in that different sense). It’s a confusing accident of etymology.

But a round of toast is a slice, despite the fact that some people use the phrase differently.

I would guess that, in its original and correct meaning of a slice, that it’s common in North Staffs, Cheshire and Merseyside.
Any advance on that?

Agree with this. Also Midlands based and grew up in Birmingham. A round as in a round of ammunition! 😀

Thing is, I don't have fry ups very often but when I do I want it to be an event.

Double egg, bacon sausages, black pudding, beans, fried tomatoes and bread, mushrooms with HP sauce.

When I order a round of toast I want a full toast rack heaving with lightly toasted bread glistening with butter and ready for marmalade. What I don't want is a single miserable soggy slice of bread.

The word round to mean conveys opulence and a substantial breakfast so the amount of toast delivered needs to be consistent with that.

It's a bit like ordering a pot of tea and only getting one mug. If so why bother with the pot. The whole point of the pot is that you can get more than one mug out of it.

Ask for 2 rounds then?

Ask for 2 rounds then?

Not helpful when a round of toast means two slices to the individual.

Well they know now that is doesn't meant 2 rounds.

it and mean stupid phone

I don’t think there’s any help for people who think like Humpty Dumpty.