Cinq à sept
{{Short description|Activities after work and before returning home}}
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{{lang|fr|Cinq à sept}} ({{IPA|fr|sɛ̃k a sɛt|lang}}, literally 'five to seven') is a French-language term for activities taking place after work and before returning home (sometimes using overtime as an excuse), or having dinner (roughly between 5 and 7 p.m.).
It may also be written as {{lang|fr|5 à 7}} or 5@7.
In Quebec
In Quebec French, the term stands for a social gathering. It may bring together friends or colleagues or may be organized around a specific event, such as a book launch or vernissage. Wine, beer, and cocktails are served along with finger foods and other hors d'oeuvres. Such a party held later may be named for the specific time (e.g. {{lang|fr|six à huit}}, meaning "six to eight").
A {{lang|fr|cinq à sept}} can be a formal gathering held in a wide range of public and private spaces, such as art galleries, university campuses, and places of work, but it is also commonly used more informally as a promotion in bars to attract patrons.{{Cite web |url=http://montreal.about.com/od/montreal-words-expressions/qt/5-a-7-montreal-happy-hour-expressions-french-quebec-words.htm |title=What is a 5-à-7? |access-date=2015-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630201239/http://montreal.about.com/od/montreal-words-expressions/qt/5-a-7-montreal-happy-hour-expressions-french-quebec-words.htm |archive-date=2015-06-30 |url-status=dead }} The English equivalent might be a semi-formal "wine and cheese" gathering or an informal "happy hour".
In France
{{lang|fr|Cinq à sept}} originally referred to a time for a tryst, and consequently is a metonym for a visit to one's mistress, an extramarital affair, and the mistress involved. It derived from the time of day French people would make such a visit. It is still commonly considered as the time of day to meet one's mistress or lover, and the term implies a sexual liaison (as opposed to the Québécois habit).
References
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Category:High society (social class)
Category:Upper class culture in Canada
Category:Upper class culture in Europe
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