Gemma Hardy p. 386
Gemma uses the term “bangers and mash” to describe the meal she, Marian, and Robin had after she returned from the village escorted by Archie. Bangers and mash, also known as sausages and mash, is a traditional dish of Great Britain comprising sausages served with mashed potatoes. It may consist of one of a variety of flavored sausages made of pork, lamb, or beef. The dish is sometimes served with onion gravy, fried onions, or peas. The term was in use at least as far back as 1919. The term "bangers" is attributed to the fact that sausages made during World War I, when there were meat shortages, were made with such a high-water content that they were more liable to pop under high heat when cooked. The contraction of "mashed potato" to "mash" was common among the upper-middle and upper classes in Britain.