subs. phr. (old).—A parly of women. Originally an Oxford term for a tea-party, tea being considered (GROSE) a beverage only fit for women: cf. HEN PARTY and STAG PARTY.
1889. C. WHIBLEY, ed. In Cap and Gown, ‘Characters of Freshmen,’ p. 176. ‘The studious freshman … goeth to a small BITCH-PARTY, and findeth his new gown taken “by mistake.”’
