The William pear
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Properly the William's pear, or Bon Chretien is so called from the name of its introducer into England. For a like reason it is known in the U.S.A.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “The William pear” mean?
Properly the William's pear, or Bon Chretien is so called from the name of its introducer into England. For a like reason it is known in the U.S.A.
Is “The William pear” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.