Author Archives: Sarah

Maybe I'll Drink It While Knitting

From vol. 2 of the previously-mentioned book by Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, a section on the River Beer Sellers or Purl-Men:
“It appears to have been the practice at some time or other in this country to infuse wormwood into beer or ale previous to drinking it, either to make it sufficiently bitter, or for some medicinal purpose. This mixture was called purl–why I know not, but Bailey, the philologist of the seventeenth century, so designates it. The drink originally sold on the river was purl, or this mixture, whence the title, purl-man. Now, however, the wormwood is unknown; and what is sold under the name of purl is beer warmed nearly to boiling heat, and flavoured with gin, sugar, and ginger. The river-sellers, however, still retain the name, of purl-men, though there is not one of them with whom I have conversed that has the remotest idea of the meaning of it.”

And from the Oxford English Dictionary:
“a. Formerly, A liquor made by infusing wormwood or other bitter herbs in ale or beer. purl-royal, a similar infusion of wormwood in wine. b. Later, A mixture of hot beer with gin (also called dog’s nose), sometimes also with ginger and sugar: in repute as a morning draught.”

From CocktailDB, a slightly more modern dog’s nose.

Common Errors, Nicely Delineated

Paul Brians has taken those annoying errors of usage into his own hands with a website and book. This site just helped me answer a question, and reminded me that most of the grammar questions I am asked are based on usage and not on wanting to know and apply the basic rules. I liked the list of errors enough I’m going to(make my employer) purchase the book!