Talk:bachelor's fare

RFV discussion: December 2016

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batchelor's fare

Defined strangely as "bread, cheese and kisses". How would this be used? It seems to be the title of a famous comic painting. Equinox ◑ 16:48, 11 December 2016 (UTC)

That definition, which is found in a surprising number of old dictionaries, is from a quote by Jonathan Swift

• 1772, Jonathan Swift, Polite Conversation, page 365:

  Lady Ans: Colonel, some Ladies of your Acquaintance have promised to Breakfast with you, and I am to wait on them; what will you give us? Col: Why, Faith Madam, Batchelor's Fare, Bread and Cheese, and Kisses.

But more generally, it comes from use of the term as simple food that requires no cooking, such as bread and cheese:

• 1785, The humming bird: A collection of the most celebrated English and Scots songs:

  Tho' his house ben't so nice, he is sure to be neat, And the ladies are always well-pleas'd with his treat, By the smak of their lips, at a parting, declare How delicious a feast they think batchelor's fare.

• 1825, James Heney, Agnes : Or the Sailor's Orphan: With Memoirs of the Dudley Family:

  The villain of a pedlar saw his discourse was attentively heard, and flattered himself with the hopes of a supper and night's lodging; he was not deceived, for the parson was so well pleased with his conversation, that he insisted on his staying and partaking of batchelor's fare, bread and cheese, and mild ale ; the latter he supplied his guest with so immoderately that he was obliged to convey him to his apartment.

• 1840, John Patterson, Camp and quarters, scenes and impressions of military life, page 78:

  Neither batchelor's fare, nor lodging-house dinners have any attraction in his esteem ; nor is he a convert to the cold-meat and pic-nic school ; — no, no ! — to please his palate, there must be a regularly-built, smoking, well-sustaining table.

• 1942, John Harvey Powell, Richard Rush, Republican Diplomat, 1780-1859, page 67:

  I am quite alone, but can give you batchelor's fare.

Kiwima (talk) 20:51, 11 December 2016 (UTC)

I am calling this RFV-failed for the original definition. — This unsigned comment was added by Kiwima (talk • contribs) at 23:57, 19 April 2017.