E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cherry Fairs.
Now called teagardens. Nothing to do with cherries; it is cheery fairs—i.e. gay or recreation fairs. A “cheering” is a merry-making. Halliwell tells us that “Cherry (or rather chery) fairs are still held in Worcestershire.” Gower says of this
world, “Alle is but a cherye-fayre,” a phrase frequently met with.
1
“This life, my son, is but a chery-fayre.”—MS. Bodl. 221 (quoted by Halliwell).
