Shireen Jamooji
March 14, 2024
Did you know that a lot of the words we use when referring to alcohol have their roots in navy tradiions? Here are a few of the most interesting to explore.
From 1850 to 1970, the daily rum ration, known as the "tot," consisted of one-eighth of an imperial pint (71ml) of rum distributed at midday.
On ships, to "binge" meant soaking and rinsing an empty cask in water. Sailors seeking more alcohol than their allotted ration would drink the water from rum casks, hoping to find a few drops of booze.
On a ship, 'sheets' are the ropes attached to the sails. If these ropes are too loose, the ship veers wildly, much like someone who's had too much to drink.
Sailors gauged the potency of their alcohol by mixing it with gunpowder. If it ignited, it was 'proof' that the alcohol was strong and unadulterated.
Sailors, paid in spirits, desired high-quality and strong alcohol; today, we recognize it as 57% ABV or 100 Proof.
Admiral Vernon, of the British Royal Navy, wore a coat made of grogram fabric, earning him the nickname 'Old Grogram.' He oversaw the dilution of rum rations, leading to the concoction known as grog.
A prevalent smuggling method, particularly among sailors, involved transporting small amounts of alcohol in the tops of their boots. 'Bootlegging' evolved to encompass the entire process of brewing, distilling, transporting, and selling booze.
When sailors tilted their heads back and poured alcohol down their throats, they likened it to loading cargo onto ships by lowering it through the hatches on the deck.