Gizmodo: A Beginner's Guide to Navy-Strength Rum
The Royal Navy's successful invasion of Jamaica in 1655 had a lot of terribly negative outcomes. The commanders ended up in the Tower of London. Many of the English sailors fell sick or starved. A lot of Spanish settlers died. But there was one undeniably positive outcome: rum.
After that fated invasion, the Royal Navy started giving its sailors daily rations of domestically produced rum instead of the French brandy they'd been receiving. ("Domestically produced" meaning produced on the captured island of Jamaica, of course.) Referred to as a "tot," this ration of rum measured about half a pint and was given to sailors around midday. The order used to distribute rum rations—"splice the mainbrace"—got its name from one of the most difficult repair jobs aboard it the ship. It remains a euphemism for having a drink today.
WNU Editor: A small confession .... I have a terrible weakness .... I like Rum. Specifically .... old Rum .... drank straight .... no water, coke, or ice. On a Friday night .... when the weather is cold and you need something to warm you up .... a fine shot of Rum always hits the spot. And yes .... in my collection of fine Rums .... where only two bottles are now (sadly) left .... the ultimate of ultimate in navy Rums .... Black Tot.
2 comments:
I miss a "toddy for
the body." Alas, my
drinking days are
done.
ofs
Heh, OFS. Me too! I once had world class vices, now I live under the tyranny of pecan pie and ice cream.
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