grog
UK[ɡrɒɡ]US[ɡrɑːɡ]
n
An alcoholic drink, especially one made by mixing rum with water.
Etymology
The word 'grog' is a fascinating example of a personal nickname evolving into a common noun. It originates from the 18th-century British naval tradition, specifically from Admiral Edward Vernon. His sailors nicknamed him "Old Grog" due to his habitual grogram cloak, a coarse fabric made of silk and wool. In 1740, Vernon famously issued an order to dilute the sailors' rum ration with water, a mixture the men derisively named "grog" after their commander. Over time, the term shed its specific naval association and broadened to refer to any alcoholic drink, particularly rum mixed with water, cementing its journey from a personal epithet to a standard lexical item.
Analysis
This is a simplex word. It is a loanword, originating as a nickname for Admiral Edward Vernon (1684–1757), who was known as "Old Grog" because he wore a grogram cloak. The name was transferred to the diluted rum he ordered for sailors.
Examples
The sailors were given their daily ration of grog.
He warmed himself with a mug of hot grog on the cold night.
The old pirate tavern served a particularly strong grog.