begathon

English

Etymology

Blend of beg and telethon.

Noun

begathon (plural begathons)

1. (slang, derogatory) A fundraising drive that actively solicits donations, especially one to support a public television or radio station.
   • 2002, Dan McFadden, Cheechako, Writers Press Club (2002), ISBN 0595218075, page 12:

     Within a half an hour, the phones throughout the governor's mansion pealed, as if public television begathon night.

References

• Richard A. Spears, NTC's Thematic Dictionary of American Slang, McGraw-Hill (1999), ISBN 9780844208336, page 34