Jacob's joy

Posted by Bookworm August 05, 2003In reply to Jacob's joint posted by Bob on August 05, 2003

The phrase is used of a shared meal - where everybody brings something and puts it on a table for people to help themselves.

It is commonly used in the mountainous area of Lancashire and Yorkshire but I have not found it used outside.

But what does it mean and is it used elsewhere?

It's unknown in the U.S. Here, that's a pot luck dinner.

There was a posting some time ago for a phrase with a similar meaning and origin: "Jacob's joy". Could it be biblical?