why are the beefeaters at the tower of london so called beefeaters?

Answer 1

The origin of the term 'Beefeater' is unclear. It may originate from the fact that early Warders were paid in beef, amongst other things. Count Cosimo, grand duke of Tuscany, 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" and earlier references can also be found. Other suggestions include that it was either a corruption of a French term buffetier, an archaic term for the guard of the king's food; or a derogatory term used when they were relatively well-fed at the side of many ordinary people who lived near them in London

Answer 2

There is another possibility. The words "buffetier" referred to guards of the French kings. Given the Brits well known facility with foreign languages Beefeater seems a possible mispronounciation.

Answer 3

They were not paid in beef and it has nothing to do with the french. The had a daily ration of beef to keep them strong. You have to think, back when, getting some high protien beef in your diet was a luxury.

Answer 4

They were given a ration of beef when on duty.
I heard this explaination on the news the other day.

Answer 5

Go to the tower of london,

now tell me do you see any cows there...

Nope, they have all been eaten, no points for guessing who ate

them.

Answer 6

The bee featers are so called because although they look fierce they are really sweet like honey and have feat like buzzy bees.

Answer 7

They used to get paid in beef

Answer 8

They eat Beef before their duty.

Answer 9

they used to be paid in beef