Re: Buffet & English/Continental Breakfast http://www.yaelf.com/questions.shtml What is the origin of the term "continental breakfast"? (Folklore/proverbial expressions) Countries in continental Europe (i.e., the "continent") typically serve a cold breakfast of cereal, cheese, and croissant as a self-service buffet. This is contrasted with a "cooked breakfast" or more commonly, "full English breakfast", which typically includes fried eggs, sausage, ham, and tomato.