dinner

Where does the word "dinner" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin disjejunare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Dinner’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: disjejunare meant “to break one's fast.” From 'dis-' plus 'jejunus', fasting, the same idea as English 'breakfast'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as disner. Originally the first substantial meal of the day, eaten late in the morning. It reached English by 1300s as dinner. Has drifted steadily later in the day over the centuries, from midday to evening. Today, dinner means the main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient disjejunare "to break one's fast", from 'dis-' plus 'jejunus', fasting, the same idea as English 'breakfast'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval disner "to dine; the main meal", originally the first substantial meal of the day, eaten late in the morning.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s dinner "the main meal of the day", has drifted steadily later in the day over the centuries, from midday to evening.