Spitalfields’ breakfast, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Spitalfields’ breakfast n.

[Spitalfields, in the East End of London and, as such, an impoverished area]

a tight necktie and a short pipe, i.e. no breakfast.

1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict. 242: spitalfield’s breakfast At the East-end of London this is understood as consisting of a tight necktie and a short pipe. Amongst workmen it is usual, I understand, to tighten the apron string when no dinner is at hand.
1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.