Seems like a simple serving thing. For no exact reason I think of the expression ‘breaking bread’ as being some throwback to when bread was just something you ripped a chunk off of rather than a roll or slice. This would fit my head story.
You would be correct! While this particular innovation of pre-forming pieces to be broken is not directly connected, breaking bread at a table was a common method of dividing up full loaves of bread for consumption, and eating at someone else’s table was considered an exceptionally friendly form of socialization. You wouldn’t just invite anyone into your house and to eat your food unless you thought they were at least okay folks!
Seems like a simple serving thing. For no exact reason I think of the expression ‘breaking bread’ as being some throwback to when bread was just something you ripped a chunk off of rather than a roll or slice. This would fit my head story.
You would be correct! While this particular innovation of pre-forming pieces to be broken is not directly connected, breaking bread at a table was a common method of dividing up full loaves of bread for consumption, and eating at someone else’s table was considered an exceptionally friendly form of socialization. You wouldn’t just invite anyone into your house and to eat your food unless you thought they were at least okay folks!