Elevenses should be precisely at 11.00am, hence its name, a light repast struck midway betwixt breakfast and luncheon, the regularity of timings in the households that invented such customs, you could set your watch by, it is not . . . a term . . . which can refer to any miscellaneous snacking that occurs beyond the three understood standard mealtimes, as some misperceive today (not that these standard mealtimes by myself or most people are even well observed today). I once in my youth visited a household that really had elevenses, and they were pretty religious about it, the dependable nature of customs and routines such as elevenses, were im sure to those who observed them, were a genuine comfort and security. But it was also the same household where you saw you father once a term, to explain your school report, and a caining could ensue if it wasnt up to scratch, swings and roundabouts you gain one thing and lose another. Sadly afternoon tea was lost soon after elevenses. Some gentle customs, were in the way of the pace at which so called progress seemed to run.