A bumper crop
Meaning
A harvest that yields an exceptionally large amount, or metaphorically, an abundance of anything.
Origin
The term "bumper" originally referred to a cup or glass filled to the very brim, particularly for a toast, conveying a sense of fullness and overflowing generosity. This usage dates back to the 17th century. By the 19th century, the word had expanded to describe anything unusually large, plentiful, or excellent. When applied to agriculture, "a bumper crop" painted a vivid picture of fields so abundant with produce that they seemed to be brimming over, much like a celebratory glass. The phrase quickly became a common and hopeful expression for farmers, encapsulating the joy and prosperity of a truly overflowing harvest after a season of hard work.
Examples
- The apple orchard had such a bumper crop this year that they couldn't pick all the fruit before the first frost.
- After years of struggling, the company celebrated a bumper crop of new client acquisitions thanks to their innovative marketing campaign.