Cup of Joe

[Baker, John]

        The OED says only that the origin of "joe," as in a cuppa joe (coffee), is unknown, but the U.S. Navy has its own theory:

        >>Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe". <<

        From http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/traditions/html/navyterm.html

        Does this have any validity?


John Baker