Etymology

navy bean

Today it means: A white bean of a variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Full definition →

First used 19th c.
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The story

So called because the United States Navy has served the beans as a staple to its sailors since the mid-1800s.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. A white bean of a variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.