American Supper

Posted by James Briggs on May 19, 2000

We have a weekly historical section in our local evening paper. One section is for readers to ask questions about the origins of certain things and events; the editor can usually answer. Recently he asked for help. A reader had asked the origin of "American supper", where guests bring a contribution to the food to be eaten, usually in the form of a prepared dish.
Any idea where this expression came from?

• American Supper ESC 05/19/00
  • American Supper Bob 05/19/00