Supper or Dinner? North Dakotans Weigh In on the Great Mealtime Debate

The great debate is heating up once again here in North Dakota: is it supper or dinner? For some, it’s just semantics. For others, especially around here, the word you use says a lot about where you’re from—and maybe even how you were raised.

The discussion started up again yesterday at the radio station, and it quickly turned into a full-blown team debate. Turns out, we’re not the only ones asking this question. The internet is full of opinions, polls, and passionate arguments about mealtime terminology.

How Dinner Moved from Noon to Night

Historically speaking, the term dinner originally referred to the main meal of the day, which used to be eaten around noon. Over time—particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries—the dinner hour shifted later into the day, especially among the wealthy. That’s when supper started to emerge as the term for a lighter evening meal.

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Late-Night Suppers Fit for a King (and a Ball)

Did you know that King Louis XIV dined at midday and had supper at 10 p.m.—a custom followed by Europe’s elite. Fancy English balls would often serve supper at 1 a.m. or even later. Imagine dancing until dawn and still being expected to eat another course. Personally, we’d need a nap and some stretchy pants.

Read More: The Surprising Truth About Grated Parmesan Cheese Storage

Today, most folks in the U.S. refer to the evening meal as dinner, but in many rural areas—including parts of North Dakota—supper still holds strong. Some even use both: dinner for Sunday’s big noon meal and supper for the lighter evening bite.

So, what do you say around your table? Supper or dinner? Either way, we hope it’s delicious.