Scandinavian mealtimes vary significantly across the region, as highlighted in a recent letter to the Guardian. Gary Calder from Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, points out that breakfast in Norway and Sweden is called frokost and frukost respectively, but in Denmark it is morgenmad (morning food). Lunch in Norway and Sweden is lunsj or lunch, but in Denmark it is frokost. However, all three countries agree on the main meal of the day: middag (midday/noon), which is typically served in the early evening.
Natmad: The Midnight Meal in Denmark
At Danish weddings or functions, guests may be served natmad (night food) around midnight. This meal serves as a friendly signal that the event is winding down, earning it the colloquial name skrub af mad, which translates to “fuck-off food.” This tradition reflects the practical and humorous approach to hospitality in Denmark.
Titanic Dinner Class Divisions
Dr Paul Brown from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, adds a historical perspective on mealtime naming, referencing the Titanic. On the ill-fated ship, dinner for first- and second-class passengers was served in the evening, while third-class passengers had their dinner in the middle of the day, followed by tea and supper later. Notably, there was no iceberg lettuce on any of the menus, a detail that adds a touch of irony to the tragedy.
These observations, published in the Guardian’s letters section, underscore the cultural and social nuances embedded in meal names, from modern Scandinavia to the class divisions of the early 20th century.
