DCHP-3

chopping bee

Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1

a communal land-clearing accompanied or followed by eating, drinking, and dancing.

See: bee,frolic

Quotations

1821
. . . Jack was a likely, clever-handed fellow, and could chop more in a day than any of his neighbours. But this was a kind of work of which, except at a chopping frolic, he was never very fond.
1828
When a farmer or a new settler wants a piece of wood cut down, he procures a few gallons of rum to drink on the occasion, and sends for his neighbours to assist him in levelling the forest: this is . . . called a chopping frolic.
2

See 1931 quote.

Quotations

1890
Come to the chopping bee and bring your axe.
1931
There were . . . "chopping frolics" for chopping and piling the winter's supply of firewood.