Why Are Restaurants Bookings Called Cover

[grumpy01]

Can someone tell me why Restaurants bookings are called covers?

[emmie]

i think its to do with covers on tables, but that could be wrong... sure someone has a better explanation perhaps.

[emmie]

https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/cover-restaurant-6923.html

[emmie]

the link does explain i believe why its called covers...

[youngmafbog]

Not sure if anyone really knows the true origin. Some say its from the cover over the food as its served (to keep it hot) in olden days I read somewhere a while back now it was from the french word covourt (or something like that ) that was used to cover the silverware when not in use.

I'm sure there are many other ideas.

[grumpy01]

Thanks for your answers and Emmie for providing the link.

[emmie]

thank you

[Redhelen72]

I was always told when training that cover refers to a meal that is served so a table of 4 is 4 covers, I was also told that the word was expanded from its original usage of a cloth to cover the place settings that were set up in advance

[barry1010]

That table for 4 could be 8 or 12 covers if the restaurant has a quick turnover; or only 1 if a single diner takes up the table for the whole period.

[Buenchico]

From the OED:
https://ibb.co/DpT7VW6

[Peter Pedant]

// usage of a cloth to cover the place settings that were set up in advance//
something like a lengthwise folded sheet was placed on the row of covers ( if there were a row) - and also the dishes were washed before use! ( well they did have servants!) in the days before fridges and germ theory to try to lessen the chance of food poisoning (ptomaine etc) - as they did not understand where food poisoning came from ( xc it was from food)