Cocktail - The Definition
I love a great cocktail, so it made me wonder...what is the etymology of this word. The Oxford English Dictionary cites it as originating in the US and first appears in The Farmer's Cabinet, April 28, 1803.
"Drank a glass of cocktail—excellent for the head...Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham—he looked very wise—drank another glass of cocktail."
The first definition of cocktail known to be an alcoholic beverage was in The Balance and Columbian Repository May 13, 1806 where it was noted,
"Cock-tail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters—it is vulgarly called bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, in as much as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head. It is said, also to be of great use to a democratic candidate: because a person, having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow any thing else."
Any way you slice it, I love a great cocktail :)
It looks presentable and dry throat quencher. I'd rather have more of the spirits than too many ice :) Easy on the alcohol, captain. Cheers!
Cheers my friend! Thanks for following along.
I'm not sure I've ever had a cocktail. I always preferred whiskey and mixed drinks, which is why I choose not to do it very often. lol
It was my best friend that got me into trying cocktails that contain bitters. It's an interesting concoction and a bit of a unique taste I think....perhaps acquired...but one I'm finding favor with over time.
Goodness me those people could write. I love how they constructed their sentences so much. "As I make it a point, never to publish any thing.. but what I can explain, ..". Beautiful. haha.
You can imagine how much of that kind of English I see over here.. for example many instructions in old train stations are still written in eloquent English. Love it :)
Sometimes I miss that style but most of the time I find it laborious. :D
Very interesting. I feel like I am a more educated drinker now ;)
Very nice photography..
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