Editing Buffet (section)

===Origins===
In the 19th century, [[supper]], a lighter meal some hours after the main [[dinner]], was sometimes served as a buffet (and so called), especially late at night at grand balls, where not everyone present eats at the same time, or in the same quantity.  Even in a very large building, at a large ball there might not be enough space to seat all guests at the same time, or servants to serve them in the manner required by the prevailing customs.  A large cooked [[English breakfast]] with various choices was also very often routinely served this way, for similar reasons.  Even when many servants were on hand, there might be an element of [[self-service]].  The term ''buffet'' originally referred to the French [[sideboard]] furniture where the food was placed, but eventually became applied to the serving format.

At balls, the "buffet" was also where drinks were obtained, either by circulating [[footman|footmen]] supplying orders from guests, but often by the male guests.  During the Victorian period, it became usual for guests to have to eat standing up.  In fact John Conrade Cooke's cookbook ''Cookery and Confectionery'', (London: 1824) says it was already "the present fashion".<ref>Day, Ivan, [http://foodhistorjottings.blogspot.com/2013/05/pride-and-prejudice-having-ball.html "Pride and Prejudice - Having a Ball"], Food Jottings</ref>  In a report on a ball in 1904, a departure from "the usual stand-up buffet supper", with parties being able to reserve tables, was praised.<ref>"Everyone present at the ball appreciated, however, the supper arrangements, which permitted of small tables being engaged for one's party instead of the usual stand-up buffet supper", ''The Sphere: An Illustrated Newspaper for the Home'', Volume 18, 1904</ref>

Scandinavians like to claim that the buffet table originates from the ''[[brännvin]]sbord'' (Swedish [[schnapps]], or shot of alcoholic beverage)<ref>[https://theopeninghour.com/frischs-breakfast-bar-hours/ "Christmas Celebrations Etiquette"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Swedish). [http://www.vett-och-etikett.com/ Etikett Doktorn]. Accessed June 2011.</ref> table from the middle of 16th century. This custom had its prime during the early 18th century. The ''[[smörgåsbord]]'' buffet did not increase in popularity until the expansion of the railroads throughout Europe.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}}

The ''smörgåsbord'' table was originally a meal where guests gathered before dinner for a pre-dinner drink, and was not part of the formal dinner that followed. The ''smörgåsbord'' buffet was often held in separate rooms for men and women before the dinner was served.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

''Smörgåsbord'' became internationally known as "smorgasbord" at the [[1939 New York World's Fair]] exhibition, as the Swedes had to invent a new way of showcasing the best of Swedish food to large numbers of visitors.{{citation needed|date=June 2011}}