On 2018-03-17 11:19 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 10:57:49 AM UTC-4, wrote:
>> On Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 9:13:10 AM UTC-5, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>>
>>> In the USA a "recepton" where the food is being contributed by some or
>>> all of the guests or attendees, it can easily be construed as a
>>> potluck. It doesn't matter whether its comprised of appetizes, main
>>> dishes or desserts. If it's catered or all provided by one source
>>> (family, company, etc.) then it's simply a reception of some sort.
>>> There are numerous references on the Internet to "potluck receptionss".
>>> Regardless of what Tert calls it, in my book it still sounds like a
>>> potluck.
>>>
>>>
>> Maybe I'm wrong but I've always considered any reception, get together,
>> gathering, etc. when you are requested to bring a dish of your choosing
>> a potluck. If he's told to bring a specific dish, and you're told to
>> bring a specific dish, Jill is told to bring a specific dish, Cheri is
>> also told to bring a certain dish, and I'm told to bring a certain dish,
>> then no, I would not call that a potluck.
>
> A potluck is where everybody brings something. Tert's description sounded
> like a subset of the attendees were bringing something. So, not a
> potluck.
>


A potluck dinner would be one where everyone is expected to bring
something, and the result is enough for everyone to have a complete
meal... and leftovers. In that case, potluck is the adjective for the
dinner. That is different from a coordinated group dinner where people
bring specific items.

I know who potlucks work out in various situations. A good friend used
to have potluck dinner parties and he invited only people he knew who
made interesting contributions. At the other end is people like Cheap
Bob who was invited to a potluck BBQ along with a number of other
friends. Other people brought nuns, salads, desserts etc. Cheap Bob
showed up with his brother, two sisters and their spouses, and one can
of beer between them.