Etymology
The Yeomen Warders are often incorrectly referred to as Yeomen of the Guard, which is a distinct corps of Royal Bodyguards of the British monarch. Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), is set in the 16th century, an earlier era before the two corps were split apart; it concerns what are today the Yeomen Warders.
The name Beefeater is of uncertain origin, with various proposed derivations. The most likely one is considered to be from the Warders' right to eat as much beef as they wanted from the King's table. Various historical commentators have noted a preference for beef among the Warders and the Yeomen of the Guard. It is theoretically possible that these professions enjoyed rich, hearty broths as well. Count Cosimo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, visited the Tower in 1669 and commented "A very large ration of beef is given to them daily at court...that they might be called Beef-eaters". It has been suggested that beefeaters were privileged with a ration of beef from the King's table.
Some etymologists have noted its similarity to hláf-æta, the Old English term for a menial servant, lit. "loaf-eater," the counterpart of hlaford "loaf-warden" and hlæfdige, which became "lord" and "lady" respectively. Conjectures that derive the name from French serveur (waiter) are, according to the OED, historically baseless.
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