Beefeaters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historical term for the Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London, known for their distinctive uniforms and roles in guarding the tower
2. A colloquial reference to a person who eats a lot of beef or enjoys hearty meat dishes
3. An informal name for certain British soldiers associated with ceremonial duties, particularly in royal contexts

Etymology: The Beefeaters at the Tower of London are famous for their red and gold Tudor uniforms, but the name itself is plainly a compound of "beef" and "eater", which has led many to assume it mocks the well-fed guards. The more widely repeated explanation is that the name refers to the generous rations of beef the Yeomen of the Guard received as royal servants, though the earliest records of the nickname are thin, so that account should be taken as traditional rather than documented. The word "beefeater" appears as a plural noun here, so "beefeaters" is simply the plural form, and the singular "beefeater" is the base word that carries the history. Its meaning is transparent: a person who eats beef, which in older English usage often implied a sturdy, meat-eating person of substance rather than a glutton.

Synonyms: Yeomen Warders, guard