Etymology (Word Origins)
- Thread starter Dingleberry
- Start date
The word “buttload,” often used colloquially to mean “a large amount,” actually has roots in old English wine measurement systems.
A “butt” was a real unit used to measure large quantities of liquid, especially wine or ale, during medieval times and into the early modern era.
One butt equals two hogsheads, and each hogshead typically holds 63 gallons (in the imperial system), making a butt exactly 126 gallons.
This unit was most commonly used in England and parts of Europe, especially in reference to shipping and storing wine, beer, and other liquids in wooden casks or barrels.
These massive barrels were known as butts (yes, that’s the actual term), and they often appeared in old taverns and ships’ cargo.
Today, the term survives mostly as slang or humor — “a buttload of something” — but it does in fact originate from a formal measurement that once held legal and commercial significance.
A “butt” was a real unit used to measure large quantities of liquid, especially wine or ale, during medieval times and into the early modern era.
One butt equals two hogsheads, and each hogshead typically holds 63 gallons (in the imperial system), making a butt exactly 126 gallons.
This unit was most commonly used in England and parts of Europe, especially in reference to shipping and storing wine, beer, and other liquids in wooden casks or barrels.
These massive barrels were known as butts (yes, that’s the actual term), and they often appeared in old taverns and ships’ cargo.
Today, the term survives mostly as slang or humor — “a buttload of something” — but it does in fact originate from a formal measurement that once held legal and commercial significance.
Word of the Day: CATSTRACTED – inability to concentrate because one is distracted by cats; easily distracted by cats.
HSanders HSanders
Well-known member
Why Do We Say ‘How the Tables Have Turned’?
While turntables are found in DJ booths, the phrase “how the tables have turned” originated in an entirely different entertainment medium.
wordsmarts.com
HSanders HSanders
Well-known member
Carlin was so awesome
Italian does not have the letter w (or j,k,x or y). they call it "doppia vu", which literally means double v.
French and Spanish, and many other of the "European" languages are the same way with "w" (double V). For English, it's "Double U", but that's the exception. And we can thank the Romans for most of it, since Latin didn't have a W back in the day.
HSanders HSanders
Well-known member
very cool,thanks! there were a couple in there.I didn't know
