Beefeaters

[darren1971]

At the Tower, why are they called this. Pretty sure I was told this once as a child but have forgotten.

[Jewell]

It may originate from the fact that early Warders were paid in beef, amongst other things. Count Cosimo, grand duke of Tuscany, once visited the Tower in 1669 and commented on this "A very large ration of beef is given to them daily at court...that they might be called Beef-eaters"

[badboy4life]

no one actually knows not even the yeomanry guard however one theory is that they tested the beef of the nobles before they ate it to make sure it was safe to eat.

[mike b]

Most probable origin seems to be connection with buffet as in food, ie royal servants, waiters etc

[mindimplode]

Cos if they were called Waspfeaters no one would like them.

[Don Quixote]

The Old English oeta meant "servant" (Ben Jonson's "Silent Woman", 1609) and it probably comes from this!

[DESIREE]

because of their royal duties they had to be fit and strong. they were therefore fed beef, which wasn't available to everyone

[Eric Git]

I live in the Tower of London, and my husband is a Yeoman of the Guard, Queen's Bidy Guard, Gentleman inextraodinar, (Beefeater). The term Beefeater has many origins, it is mainly used as a derogatory term, dating back from when the Yeoman were given free reign of the Monarch's table to fill theor dagger with as much meat as they liked, hence 'here come the beefeaters'. The other origin is that the Monarch wanted his body guard to be fit and strong and so made sure that they had the best cuts of beef to eat. I hope that this helps you.