When referring to eggnog, just exactly what is "nog"?!


Question: Many believe that eggnog is a tradition that was brought to America from Europe. This is partially true. Eggnog is related to various milk and wine punches that had been concocted long ago in the "Old World". However, in America a new twist was put on the theme. Rum was used in the place of wine. In Colonial America, rum was commonly called "grog", so the name eggnog is likely derived from the very descriptive term for this drink, "egg-and-grog", which corrupted to egg'n'grog and soon to eggnog. At least this is one version...

Other experts would have it that the "nog" of eggnog comes from the word "noggin". A noggin was a small, wooden, carved mug. It was used to serve drinks at table in taverns (while drinks beside the fire were served in tankards). It is thought that eggnog started out as a mixture of Spanish "Sherry" and milk. The English called this concoction "Dry sack posset". It is very easy to see how an egg drink in a noggin could become eggnog.


Answers: Many believe that eggnog is a tradition that was brought to America from Europe. This is partially true. Eggnog is related to various milk and wine punches that had been concocted long ago in the "Old World". However, in America a new twist was put on the theme. Rum was used in the place of wine. In Colonial America, rum was commonly called "grog", so the name eggnog is likely derived from the very descriptive term for this drink, "egg-and-grog", which corrupted to egg'n'grog and soon to eggnog. At least this is one version...

Other experts would have it that the "nog" of eggnog comes from the word "noggin". A noggin was a small, wooden, carved mug. It was used to serve drinks at table in taverns (while drinks beside the fire were served in tankards). It is thought that eggnog started out as a mixture of Spanish "Sherry" and milk. The English called this concoction "Dry sack posset". It is very easy to see how an egg drink in a noggin could become eggnog.

Oops, technical difficulties. As I was saying, I was thinking about the alcohol affecting your noggin.

And thanks MLA, for your...um...interesting analysis. Report It


Other Answers (4)




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  • I always thought it was the "hooch"(brandy) that is added to it.
    Guess I was wrong.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog

    IDK

    I like the Cooking Engineer's answer. However, I always thought nog referred to a noggin, like your brain.
    Hence, eggnog would be like eggs and brains blended together in a soup.

    There has been a lot of speculation over the last nearly 400 years since this delicious drink was first passed around in good cheer during the Yuletide season. What is a nog, exactly? I’ll try and explain it as best I can.

    Well…first we have to go back to 1643, in England. Francis Culvert, a poor farmer, while attempting to castrate some of his roosters, accidentally dropped a rooster testicle into his cup of milk, unbeknown to him at the time. He brought his cup of milk back into the farmhouse, where his wife, Belinda was preparing some eggs over a hot fire. Rumor has it that Francis Culvert then slipped and fell, and his concoction fell into the skillet. To further complicate an already messy situation, one of Francis’s sons, Peter, was having a shot of rum and he slipped, spilling part of his spirit into the fray. Belinda then removed the skillet from the hot fire, complaining about the mess. Peter, in a drunken stupor, started to pour the mess into a large glass and drank it. He was astounded by the delicious taste until he came to the bottom and discovered the testicle, at which point he vomited. However, Francis repeated the process the following day, grinding up the rooster testicles, mixing it with egg and rum, and a bit of milk….and voila….an eggnog was created, which was enjoyed by all of England, eventually. For some strange reason, the drink became associated with Christmas. A quick answer to your question is----a nog is a rooster testicle, ground up.

    As a side note, Francis Culvert was later knighted for his wonderful drink, which is now enjoyed by hundreds throughout the world.





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