low tea

low tea (countable and uncountable, plural low teas)

1. (UK) A formal afternoon meal comprising light snacks, often accompanied by tea.

   Synonym: afternoon tea

   • 2008, Emily Thacker, Vinegar & Tea‎:

     Low tea, the original aristocratic late afternoon break for conversation and dainty delicacies was a very social time and was served in the 'low' part of the day.

   • 2012, Beverley Dubrin, Tea Culture: History, Traditions, Celebrations, Recipes & More‎, page 27:

     Afternoon tea has evolved into a combination of high and low teas. High tea, once called "meat tea", was originally the main meal of the British lower classes, eaten with the family at home at the end of a long workday. Low tea was a light meal or snack, enjoyed by the British upper classes in thr late afternoon to tide them over until their more substantial dinner in the evening. Low tea was often a social event, enjoyed in the company of friends or associates. The distinction between high tea and low tea was also a literal one, based on the kind of table used for serving. High tea was consumed at a high dining room table, while low tea was served in the sitting or living room on a lower side table or cocktail table (also called a coffee table).

   • 2019, Julia Skinner, Afternoon Tea: A History‎, page 39:

     Counterintuitively, "low tea" has historically been for the upper classes the term used for afternoon tea, while "high tea" was initially the afternoon tea of the working classes.

• high tea