General
bring a plate
What does bring a plate mean?
An invitation instruction meaning each guest brings a dish of food to share (not an empty plate).
"BBQ on Saturday, bring a plate."
Origin
Australian/NZ social convention for shared catering.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'bring a plate' mean?
On an Australian invitation it means each guest brings a dish of food to share with everyone, not literally just an empty plate.
Does 'bring a plate' mean bring an empty plate?
No, and this trips up newcomers. It means bring a plate of food, such as a salad, dessert or finger food, to contribute to the shared spread.
Where does 'bring a plate' come from?
It's a long-standing Australian and New Zealand social convention for pooling catering at gatherings, barbecues and community events.
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