“Wayzgoose, n: Originally, an entertainment given by a master-printer to his workmen ‘about Bartholomew-tide’ (24 August), marking the beginning of the season of working by candle-light. In later use, an annual festivity held in summer by the employees of a printing establishment, consisting of a dinner and (usually) an excursion into the country.”
The Winter Wayzgoose is the first of a seasonal series of meetings in which researchers can present their work in an informal and supportive setting. The meetings are open invitation and we encourage anyone with an interest in printing history and culture - or with a printing history and culture dimension to their work - to come along and share their research with us. Papers should not be longer than five minutes and can be on any aspect of printing history and culture. The first Wayzgoose takes place on 2 February between 5 and 7pm in the 'Smoke Room' of the Woodman Inn. If you would like to present your research, please send a brief abstract and bio to Christopher.Hill@bcu.ac.uk
“PRINTER’S WAYZGOOSE: The derivation of this term is from an old English word, ‘wayz’, stubble. A stubble goose is a known dainty in some places in our days. A wayz goose was the head dish at the annual feast of the forefathers of the fraternity of printers. These wayz-gooses were formerly kept for Bartholomew-tide; and, till the employer had given the feast, the journeymen did not work by candle light. ”