Yep, “meat bees” is what we called yellowjackets when I lived in Northern Sonoma County way back when.
Nothing is more aggressive than Northern California yellowjackets in late Summer. They make wolverines seem cuddly. If the things were the size of sparrows the area would be uninhabitable.
Funny. We called them “Meat Bees” as well here in the South Bay...
They aren’t as aggressive as people make that type to Bee...