The Evolution of 'Déjeuner'

The word "déjeuner" is a cornerstone of the French language, referring to the midday meal. However, its journey through history is far richer than a simple definition might suggest. Tracing its origins back to Latin and observing its transformations through Old French, we can uncover a fascinating linguistic evolution that mirrors changes in societal customs and dining habits. This article delves into the etymology of "déjeuner," its historical usage, grammatical nuances, and regional variations, offering a comprehensive look at this ubiquitous term.

The Latin Roots of "Déjeuner"

The ultimate origin of "déjeuner" lies in the Latin verb disjejunare. This verb is a combination of dis-, meaning "to undo" or "to break," and jejunare, meaning "to fast." Therefore, disjejunare literally translates to "to break the fast." This is a crucial point, as it connects the act of eating the midday meal to the cessation of a period of not eating, much like the English "breakfast" signifies breaking the night's fast.

Interestingly, the same Latin root, disjejunare, also gave rise to the French word "dîner." This might seem counterintuitive given their distinct meanings today, but through medieval Latin (disjunare) and Old French (disner), the term shifted in meaning over time. Initially, "dîner" also referred to breaking a fast, and eventually, its meaning evolved to encompass the main meal of the day, which in many historical contexts, was taken in the middle of the day.

Historical Usage and Evolution

The earliest recorded uses of "déjeuner" (spelled "desjuner" in its older forms) date back to the 13th century. These historical instances reveal a word in flux, its meaning and usage adapting to the times.

In the 13th century, we find examples like:

• "Et quant li très [pavillon] l'empereour fu tendus, si se fist maintenant desarmer, et puis s'est un petit desjeüné de pain biscuit et de vin." (And when the emperor's pavilion was pitched, he had himself disarmed, and then he had a little desjeüné of biscuit and wine.)
• "Li vallet foulon se doivent desjeüner en charnage ciez [chez] leur mestre à l'eure de prime." (The fuller's servants must desjeüner with meat at their master's at the hour of prime.)

These examples suggest that "déjeuner" in its early form was not exclusively tied to a midday meal. It could refer to a lighter meal or the act of having something to eat, potentially at various times of the day.

By the 14th century, the usage continued:

• "Quant les autres compagnons sont venus de leurs questes, ils se doivent desjeuner et donner un peu à menger à leurs chiens." (When the other companions have returned from their quests, they must desjeuner and give a little to eat to their dogs.)
• "En haste ont repeü ; là se sont desjunez." (In haste they have eaten; there they have desjunez.)

The 15th century shows further developments:

• "beaucoup qui se dejeunoient par les tavernes et buvoient la garnache et la malvoisie chez Lombards, et rien n'en payoient." (many who dejeunoient in taverns and drank garnacha and malvoisie at the Lombards', and paid nothing for it.)
• "Pour desjuner." (To desjeuner.)

Throughout these centuries, the spelling also varied, including "desjeuner," "déjeûner" (with the circumflex accent), and eventually, the modern "déjeuner." The circumflex accent was officially dropped in 1798, reflecting a broader trend in French orthography.

Grammatical Considerations

The word "déjeuner" presents an interesting grammatical duality: it functions as both a noun and the infinitive of a verb. This can lead to potential ambiguity in certain phrases.

For instance, the expression "après déjeuner" was common in the 19th century and could be interpreted in two ways: "after the déjeuner" (referring to the meal) or "after having déjeuner" (referring to the action). In both cases, it pinpointed a specific moment in time, unlike "après-dîner" or "après-souper," which denoted a part of the day.

Grammarians have offered guidance on its usage. They generally recommend using the preposition "de" when listing the foods consumed during the meal (e.g., "J'ai déjeuné de pain et de café" - I had bread and coffee for lunch) and "avec" when referring to the people with whom the meal was shared (e.g., "J'ai déjeuné avec ma mère et mon père" - I had lunch with my mother and father).

However, the use of "avec" followed by food items (e.g., "J'ai déjeuné avec quelques œufs frais" - I had lunch with some fresh eggs) is also attested in the works of various authors and in common parlance, despite potential for confusion. A notable example of this potential ambiguity is the phrase "J'ai déjeuné avec un perdreau" (I had lunch with a partridge), which grammarians might interpret as eating *with* a partridge rather than eating *a partridge*.

Furthermore, the past participle of the intransitive verb "déjeuner" (always used with the auxiliary "avoir") is, according to some observations, invariable, even though dictionaries might list a feminine form. This point was noted as early as 1862.

The Influence of Social and Historical Context

The evolution of "déjeuner" is deeply intertwined with shifts in French society, particularly during the 19th century. The aristocratic and bourgeois invention of the "petit-déjeuner au saut du lit" (breakfast immediately upon waking) pushed the main meal of the day later. This led to the traditional déjeuner shifting to midday, the dîner moving to the evening, and the souper becoming a lighter, often festive, late-night meal.

This reordering of meals reflects changing lifestyles, especially among the upper classes, and gradually influenced dining habits across different social strata.

Regional Variations

While "déjeuner" is the standard term in French, regional dialects showcase interesting variations:

• The Walloon of Liège uses the unique form "didjuner."
• Savoyard French uses "dèzounâ" for the meal itself and "dèzounôou" for the action of eating it.
• Valdôtain French has "dedjeun-où" for the meal and "dedjeuné" for the action, with further variations across the territory. In French Valdôtain, this meal is officially defined as "déjeuner."

Synonyms and Related Terms

While "déjeuner" specifically refers to the midday meal, understanding its historical context helps clarify its relationship with other meal terms:

• Petit-déjeuner: The morning meal, literally "small lunch."
• Dîner: Historically, this could mean the midday meal or the main meal. In modern French, it refers to the evening meal.
• Souper: The late-night meal, or supper.

The distinction between "déjeuner" and "dîner" in modern French is clear: "déjeuner" is lunch, and "dîner" is dinner. However, understanding the historical fluidity of these terms, particularly "dîner," is key to appreciating the linguistic journey.

The Changing Face of the Midday Meal

The content and style of the midday meal have also varied significantly across cultures and time periods:

• Western Menus: Often feature a main course, a side dish, and perhaps a dessert or coffee. The specific dishes vary widely by region and individual preference.
• Brazilian Breakfast: While the prompt asks about lunch, the provided text mentions a Brazilian breakfast with items like toast, cheese bread, cheeses, cold cuts, and natural juices. This highlights how breakfast customs differ globally.
• Eastern Menus: The specifics of Eastern meal structures are diverse and depend heavily on the cultural context, ranging from elaborate multi-course meals to simpler, staple-based diets.

The dietic, economic, and social aspects surrounding meals are all factors that influence not just the name of the meal but also its place in daily life.

Conclusion

The word "déjeuner" is more than just a label for the midday meal; it's a linguistic artifact reflecting centuries of cultural and social change. From its Latin roots signifying the breaking of a fast to its modern, specific meaning, "déjeuner" has journeyed through various spellings, grammatical interpretations, and even shifts in the time of day it represents. Understanding this evolution provides a richer appreciation for the French language and the enduring customs surrounding meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a synonym for déjeuner?

In modern French, the primary meaning of "déjeuner" is lunch. While historically "dîner" could also refer to the midday meal, today, synonyms are less common and depend on context. "Repas de midi" (midday meal) is a descriptive alternative.

What are the different types of déjeuner?

The concept of "déjeuner" itself refers to the midday meal. However, the *content* of a déjeuner can vary greatly by culture, personal preference, and occasion. Common components might include sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, or lighter fare.

What is the difference between déjeuner and dîner?

In contemporary French, "déjeuner" refers to lunch (the midday meal), while "dîner" refers to dinner (the evening meal). Historically, "dîner" often denoted the main meal, which was typically taken in the middle of the day.

What is "le déjeuner du matin"?

"Le déjeuner du matin" is a somewhat redundant phrase, as "déjeuner" traditionally refers to the midday meal. The morning meal is correctly called "le petit-déjeuner." The phrase might be used colloquially or in specific, perhaps older, contexts, but "petit-déjeuner" is the standard term for breakfast.