Cattle Call

/ˈkætl kôl// noun phrase

Definition: Inviting all your friends, seemingly without discretion, to a social event. Originally called a “pay-back party.”

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Etymology

Borrowed from the entertainment industry, where a “cattle call” refers to an open audition for a large number of actors or extras. In a social context, it evolved from the “pay-back party”—an event held specifically to discharge social obligations to many people simultaneously, rather than to host a curated group of friends.

Usage

Context: Used to describe an event where the host prioritizes quantity over quality, often to “clear the books” on outstanding invitations. It implies a lack of intimacy and a crowded, impersonal atmosphere.

In a sentence: We’re heading to their annual holiday open house, but it’s really just a cattle call for everyone they owe a dinner to.