DCHP-1 Online
chopping bee † Hist. 
1 a communal land-clearing accompanied or followed by eating, drinking, and dancing.
- 1821 (1960) . . . Jack was a likely, clever-handed fellow, and could chop more in a day than any of his neighbours. But this was a kind of work of which, except at a chopping frolic, he was never very fond.
- 1828 When a farmer or a new settler wants a piece of wood cut down, he procures a few gallons of rum to drink on the occasion, and sends for his neighbours to assist him in levelling the forest: this is . . . called a chopping frolic.
2 See 1931 quote.
- 1890 Come to the chopping bee and bring your axe.
- 1931 There were . . . "chopping frolics" for chopping and piling the winter's supply of firewood.
- 1821 (1960) . . . Jack was a likely, clever-handed fellow, and could chop more in a day than any of his neighbours. But this was a kind of work of which, except at a chopping frolic, he was never very fond.