bachelor's fare

Definition

A simple meal that requires no cooking, such as bread and cheese.

Etymology

A reference to the meals that bachelors supposedly have, because they either cannot cook or are not inclined to do so.

Example Sentences

• "Lady Anſw[erall]. Colonel, ſome Ladies of your Acquaintance have promis'd to breakfast with you, and I am to wait on them; what will you give us? / Col[onel Atwit]. Why, faith, Madam, Batchelors Fare; Bread and Cheeſe, and Kiſſes. / Lady Anſw. Poh! what have you Batchelors to do with your Money, but to treat the Ladies? you have nothing to keep but your own Four Quarters."
• "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 ſmack of their lips they at parting declare, / How delicious a feaſt they think bachelor's fare."
• "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."