box social

American  

noun

1. a social event, usually to raise funds, at which individually prepared and contributed box lunches or dinners are auctioned off to the participants, the highest bidder in each case often having the privilege of sharing the meal with its preparer.

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Etymology

Origin of box social

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

The community’s biggest excitement is a box social and auction to raise money for a school.

From Washington Times • Apr. 15, 2018

The box social was the beginning of a round of gaieties.

From The Woman Who Toils Being the Experiences of Two Gentlewomen as Factory Girls by Vorst, Marie Van