English breakfast

plural English breakfasts

1. countableSynonym of full English breakfast.

   Synonyms: full English breakfast

2. abbreviationellipsisuncountableusuallyEllipsis of English breakfast tea.

   She remembered the Sunday afternoons she and Sarah had spent at the Rosebud, catching up over cups of English breakfast and carrot cake.

   2014, Vanessa Greene, “Thursday 14 August”, in The Seafront Tea Rooms, London: Sphere, →ISBN, page 35

   5 more examples

   His frequent remarks to her father, his renewal at intervals of his cup of English breakfast and cream, caused Sophie spasms of impatience.

   1910 September, Georgia Fraser, chapter VIII, in Crow-Step, New York, N.Y.: Witter and Kintner, →OCLC, page 104

   There’s no denying that a nice strong cup of English breakfast or a double espresso can provide a kick start, but there are plenty of fruit and herbal alternatives that can do the same trick.

   1997, “Tea Supplement”, in Asian Hotel & Catering Times, Hong Kong: Thomson Press, →OCLC, page 24, column 3

   He left her sitting on the porch by herself, the mistress of the wicker chair, a front yard festooned with pickup trucks, and two hot cups of English breakfast she had not wanted in the first place.

   2004, Peter Straub, chapter 10, in In the Night Room: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Random House, →ISBN, part 1 (Willy’s Losing Her Mind Again/So Is Tim), pages 44–45

   Breakfast teas tend to be hearty and are often blends of tea from India and Africa. Favorites include English Breakfasts, Earl Greys, Ceylons, and Assams.

   2009, Innkeeping Quarterly, volumes 3–4, Haddon Heights, N.J.: Professional Association of Innkeepers International, →OCLC, page 28, column 1

   ‘Just had a cup of tea and went. Have you heard of English breakfast?’ ‘What, d’you mean like eggs and bacon?’ ‘No, like English breakfast tea?’ […] ‘Tea up,’ I said, returning to the bedroom and handing Charley a steaming hot cup of English breakfast.

   2009 June 4, Danny King, Blue Collar, London: Serpent’s Tail, →ISBN, pages 18 (Jason and the Lagernauts) and 75 (The greaseless spoon)