Bean-eater

A "bean-eater" is a colloquial term, often used with varying degrees of irony or disparagement, to describe someone who consumes beans, often with the implication that the person is simple, unrefined, or associated with a lower social class or lifestyle. The term's connotations can range from neutral observation to a subtle form of mockery, depending on context and delivery. It speaks to the widespread cultural association of beans with sustenance and affordability, sometimes portraying a reliance on beans as a symbol of frugality or a perceived lack of sophistication in dietary habits. The term emphasizes that the consumption of beans is an ordinary act, in order to show the ordinariness or commonness of a person. It can also hint to a diet that is perhaps lacking of variation. Historically, beans have been a staple food for many populations, making the term inherently comparative rather than universally offensive, the actual insult would depend more on the context than the word.

Bean-eater meaning with examples

• During their discussions, Mark would jokingly refer to his roommate, a student on a tight budget, as a "bean-eater," due to the roommate's frequent bean-based meals, though this was always said in good humor. The term encapsulated the contrast between their lifestyle and their budgetary limitations.
• The politician's speech, intended to reach working-class voters, subtly utilized the term "bean-eater" to create a sense of camaraderie, connecting with the audience's shared experiences and struggles, emphasizing their shared economic background.
• In a historical novel, a character, a wealthy aristocrat, sneered at the commoners, derisively calling them "bean-eaters," using the term to highlight the perceived differences in social class and food preferences, which, during the period, acted as an indicator of social standing.
• At the family dinner, a grandmother would teasingly call her grandson a “bean-eater” whenever he chose to have a portion of beans, the word was used as an affectionate way to express his frugality and simple tastes.