Three Square Meals

Hi professional and amateur nutritionists (栄養士),

Have you ever heard the expression "have three square meals a day"(三度三度の食事をきちんと食べる)? If so, then you may have wondered why square (正方形) is used in reference to (に関して) breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The noun (名詞) "square" refers to either the shape (形) or to an open public area (usually in the center of a city or town) where people gather (広場). 

However, the adjective form (形容詞刑) can mean honest (正直な), straightforward (率直な), equal (等しい・平等な), and fair (公平な). To win a match "fair and square" (正々堂々と) means to win honestly, without cheating (ずるをせずに).

As for meals, the adjective "square" means "full, solid, and substantial (十分な、がっつりした、栄養がある)." This is why this particular shape is used when referring to a hearty meal (ボリュームや栄養がある食事).

Getting full,

Alan

P.S. A common myth (神話) is that "square meal" came from the British Royal Navy because their meals used to be served on square wooden plates. This is an example of folk etymology (通俗語源). In reality, the term originated in the United States in the 1800s and had nothing to do with ships at sea.