Breakfast, lunch and natmad in Denmark – Scandinavian mealtimes explained | Letters

Confusion over the names of mealtimes (Letters, 2 August) also reigns in Scandinavia. Breakfast in Norway/Sweden is frokost/frukost, but morgenmad (morning food) in Denmark. Lunch in Norway/Sweden is lunsj/lunch, but frokost in Denmark. At least they can all agree on the main meal of the day, which is middag (midday/noon) but served in the early evening.

If attending a wedding party or function in Denmark, don’t be surprised to be served natmad (night food) around midnight. It is used as a friendly indication that the event has come to an end, hence its colloquial name of skrub af mad (fuck-off food).
Gary Calder
Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire

On the Titanic, dinner for first- and second-class passengers was the meal served in the evening. For third-class passengers the meal called dinner was served in the middle of the day; later in the day they had tea and supper. Interestingly, there was no iceberg lettuce on the menus.
Dr Paul Brown
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire