subs. phr. (old).—An entertainment given by an apprentice to his fellow-workmen: spec. (printers’) an annual dinner; cf. BEANFEAST (q.v.). [A corruption of WAYZ-GOOSE = stubble goose, a favourite dish at such festivals: nowadays, among printers, the funds are collected by stewards appointed by the CHAPEL (q.v.).]
1677–9. MOXON, Mechanic Exercises. The Master Printer gives them a WAYGOOSE; that is, he makes them a good feast.
1839. C. H. TIMPERLEY, A Dictionary of Printers and Printing, 516. These WAY-GOOSES are always kept about Bartholomew-tide; and till the master-printer have given this WAY-GOOSE, the journeymen do not use to work by candle-light.
