Q: "bounce" (n) in the 18th century?

Douglas G. Wilson douglas at NB.NET
Sun Oct 14 22:18:35 UTC 2007


>What is "bounce" in the following early-18th century verse?  A type
>of drink, like flip, or "a loud or audacious boast; swagger", that
>might be uttered by a male shortly after entering a
>tavern?  (Unfortunately, the provider writes "Transcriptions of
>colonial sources have been modernized.")
>
>The days are short, the weather's cold
>By tavern fires tales are told
>Some ask for dram when first come in
>Others with flip or bounce begin.

I assume it's short for "cherry bounce" ("cherry-bounce" in my
poor-man's OED), i.e., a drink, either cherry brandy (as in OED) or
some rum-based concoction (several recipes can be found via Google
Books, although none so early as 1704).

-- Doug Wilson


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