Horse-Related Origins of the Mixed Drink "Cocktail"
TL;DR
- The word "cocktail" likely derives from horses with docked tails, called "cocktailed" or "cocktails," indicating a mixed or impure origin, mirroring the mixed ingredients of the drink.
- An alternative theory suggests "cocktail" refers to a stimulating liquor that "cocks your tail," akin to the bracing effect of ginger or cayenne used to perk up horses.
- The 1806 definition of "cocktail" as spirits, sugar, water, and bitters supports the "mixed" origin theory by highlighting the dilution from water, contrasting with a "pure-bred" drink.
- Etymological research into "cocktail" reveals two plausible, horse-related origins, both involving specific practices like tail docking or "gingering" to enhance appearance or effect.
- The term "mocktail" has gained acceptance for its efficiency in conveying the meaning of a non-alcoholic mixed drink, despite initially being perceived as negatively defined by absence.
Deep Dive
The origin of the word "cocktail" is shrouded in competing theories, with no definitive evidence to support popular folk etymologies involving French egg cups or rooster feathers. Serious etymological research points to two plausible, albeit unappealing, explanations, both of which involve horses. These theories suggest the term "cocktail" for a mixed drink emerged from either the practice of docking horses' tails, leaving them sticking up like a rooster's, or from a horse trader's trick of using ginger to make a tired horse appear more spirited by causing it to lift its tail.
The first written definition of "cocktail" in 1806 described it as a stimulating liquor composed of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Etymologist Anatoly Liberman posits that the inclusion of water signifies the drink was not "pure-bred," or unmixed, drawing a parallel to "cocktailed" horses, which were working animals with docked tails, implying mixed lineage. This interpretation emphasizes dilution and mixture as the core concept. Conversely, David Wondrich, a renowned cocktail historian, argues the name relates to the stimulating and bracing effect of the drink, akin to "cocking" one's tail, and links it to the unpleasant practice of "gingering" horses--inserting ginger into a horse's rectum to make it lift its tail and appear more spirited. While neither origin is pleasant, the docked tail theory is considered more plausible by some researchers, highlighting how word origins can be detached from their initial, often unappealing, meanings. The modern term "mocktail" offers a more palatable, though descriptive, alternative for non-alcoholic mixed drinks, conveying its meaning quickly and efficiently.
Action Items
- Audit word origins: For 3-5 common terms, investigate etymological theories and evidence to identify unsupported popular stories.
- Create etymology framework: Define criteria for evaluating historical evidence supporting word origin theories.
- Track linguistic evolution: For 2-3 words, document shifts in meaning and usage over 50-year periods.
- Analyze "mocktail" adoption: Measure frequency of "mocktail" usage in media and consumer contexts over the last 5 years.
Key Quotes
"Well, there are certainly lots of stories floating around. There's the one about how French people would sip intoxicating beverages from egg cups known as "coquetiers" or about using a rooster feather to stir early versions of such concoctions or then there was the one about the Aztec princess."
Martha Barnette explains that numerous popular stories exist regarding the origin of the word "cocktail." These tales involve French egg cups, rooster feathers, and even an Aztec princess. Barnette notes that these widely circulated explanations lack substantial historical backing.
"Yeah, pretty much none for those stories."
Grant Barrett directly addresses the validity of the popular "cocktail" origin stories. Barrett confirms that Martha Barnette's assessment is correct, stating that there is virtually no evidence to support these common explanations. This highlights the unreliability of anecdotal etymologies.
"And as far as I can tell, there are two strong possibilities, and both of them, oddly enough, involve not roosters, but horses."
Martha Barnette shifts the focus to more historically grounded theories for the origin of "cocktail." Barnette indicates that serious etymological research points to two plausible explanations, both of which are surprisingly linked to horses rather than roosters. This sets up the introduction of more evidence-based theories.
"Now, these were working animals, not your thoroughbred racehorses, and that little bit that was left of their tail ended up sticking up like a rooster's tail. So for that reason, they were called "cocktailed" horses, and later just "cocktails.""
Martha Barnette presents one of the primary theories regarding the origin of "cocktail." Barnette explains that horses with docked tails, which would stick up like a rooster's tail, were referred to as "cocktailed" horses. This practice, Barnette notes, is a potential source for the drink's name.
"What he focuses on is the fact that it's, quote, "a stimulating liquor." That is, a bracing drink that would pick you up and fortify you. That would cock your tail, in other words."
Martha Barnette elaborates on David Wondrich's interpretation of the 1806 definition of "cocktail." Barnette explains that Wondrich emphasizes the "stimulating" nature of the drink, suggesting it was meant to invigorate the drinker. This invigorating effect, Barnette notes, is linked to the idea of "cocking" one's tail.
"A couple of years ago, you were complaining that you didn't like it. You thought it didn't seem right to define that kind of drink by what's not in it, in this case, that there's no alcohol."
Grant Barrett reflects on Martha Barnette's initial reservations about the word "mocktail." Barrett recalls Barnette's previous criticism that the term "mocktail" defines a drink by its absence of alcohol. This shows a personal evolution in perspective on the term.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails by David Wondrich - Referenced as a comprehensive authority on cocktail history.
Articles & Papers
- "cock-tail" definition (The Balance and Columbian Repository) - Cited as the first written definition of a mixed drink containing alcohol, appearing in 1806.
People
- Anatoly Liberman - Etymologist whose interpretation of the 1806 definition suggests "cocktail" refers to a mixed or diluted drink, analogous to a "cocktailed" horse.
- David Wondrich - Author and authority on cocktails whose research links the term "cocktail" to the practice of "gingering" horses to make them appear more spirited.
- Grant Barrett - Co-host of the podcast, discussing etymological theories.
- Martha Barnette - Co-host of the podcast, discussing etymological theories.
- Terry Wilkins - Listener whose question about the origin of the word "cocktail" prompted the discussion.
Websites & Online Resources
- A Way with Words website (https://waywordradio.org) - Mentioned as the platform to hear free episodes and learn more about the podcast.
Other Resources
- Mocktail - Discussed as a term for non-alcoholic mixed drinks, with a shift in opinion regarding its effectiveness in conveying meaning.
- Cocktailed horses - Referenced as horses with docked tails, used as a potential origin for the term "cocktail" due to the tail's upright appearance.
- Gingering - An old horse traders' trick involving a ginger suppository to make a horse lift its tail, proposed as a potential origin for the term "cocktail."