subs. phr. (common).—1. An annual feast given by employers to their work-people. [The derivation is uncertain, and, at present, there is little evidence to go upon. Some have suggested its origin in the prominence of the bean goose, or even beans at these spreads; others refer it to the French bien, good, i.e., a good feast (by-the-bye, tailors call all good feeds bean-feasts); others favour its derivation from the modern English bene, a request or solicitation from the custom of collecting subscriptions to defray the cost: also called a WAYZGOOSE (q.v.). Hence BEAN-FEASTER = one who takes part in a BEAN-FEAST.
1882. Printing Times, 15 Feb., 26. 2. A BEAN-FEAST dinner served up at a country inn.
1884. Bath Joural, 26 July, 6. 1. The annual grant of £20 for their BEAN FEAST.
1884. The Cornhill Magazine, Jan., 621. For the delectation of the bold BEANFEASTERS.
