1. I didn't use paper cups or plates at the picnic.

Question

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What does 'the picnic' mean? Does 'the picnic' mean 'the picnic site'?

Answer 1

Yes it does. But we don't say it that way. The picnic means a meal eaten outdoors, usually away from home (but it could be in the back yard, too). It is an event more than a location or site. We might say, "...at the picnic in the park, or the beach (wherever)" to specify a site.