"to take tea"

A confusion has arisen about the correct term for "taking tea". Traditionally one would "take tea" in the afternoon between 3pm and 4pm and so became known as "afternoon tea". Anna Maria Duchess of Bedford 1783 to 1857 is credited as the first person to have transformed "taking tea" into an afternoon meal, she sent cards to her friends inviting them to join her for "tea and walking in the fields", "afternoon tea" spread through fashionable society.
"afternoon tea"is composed of loose tea brewed in a teapot, served in bone china tea cups and accompanied by sandwiches, cuccumber , egg and cress, scones with clotted cream and jam and perhaps a victoria sponge. However, the term "high tea" is sometimes used incorrectly when referring to "afternoon tea", perhaps because some think the word sounds lofty and regal. In fact it is an early evening meal served between 5pm and 7pm by the working classes , consisting of meats, egg, shepherds pie and a heavy cake. It can also refer to a meal that children would eat before they were old enough to stay up for supper or dinner. It is suggested that the term developed as "afternoon tea" was served in the drawing room at a "low " table and "high tea" served at a dining room/kitchen table at a "high" table.

However, I feel to be correct in a very old fashioned way, one should just refer to it as tea. For those in the know, its like talking about riding, and refering to it as "horseback riding", for a fuller explanation please read "How to Get on in Society" by John Betjeman.