So THAT's What The 'Nog' In 'Eggnog' Stands For

Some words, for illustration “new-fangled,” make you wonderment ― why does nan 2nd portion of that beryllium astatine all?

Well, pinch nan festive season coming up, I’ve been reasoning nan aforesaid point astir eggnog.

The creamy, gently-spiced portion isn’t really my cup of beverage ― but nan connection is beautiful interesting, isn’t it?

Aside from “noggin,” I can’t really deliberation of wherever other I publication nan syllable. So what does it mean?

We aren’t judge ― but etymologists person theories

Unfortunately, we can’t opportunity for judge wherever nan 2nd syllable comes from – immoderate deliberation the connection “eggnog” dates backmost to 18th-century America, though TIME says British monks apt drank nan aforesaid look arsenic acold backmost arsenic nan 13th century.

Nonetheless, researchers person theories.

Merriam-Webster defines “nog” arsenic “a beardown ale formerly brewed successful Norfolk, England,” making love its first usage backmost to 1693.

Notably, that’s 82 years earlier nan first recorded usage of nan connection “eggnog.”

Dictionary.com writes that “The root of nog is unclear, but it could beryllium related to noggin, a sanction for a drinking alloy making love backmost to nan 1500s.”

They propose that this “nog” instrumentality is linked some to nan older brew meaning and “eggnog,” though they can’t opportunity it’s definitively nan case.

And yes ― that “nog” whitethorn good beryllium linked to “noggin,” meaning “head,” they add, arsenic nan slang came retired aft nan instrumentality meaning.

How do you make eggnog?

The egg-based portion is made by making a caramel from sweetener and allowing it to cool.

Then, you’re meant to whisk ovum whites pinch spices of your prime (nutmeg and mace are classical options) until ray and fluffy, for illustration meringue batter.

After that, you move brandy and nan cooled sweetener syrup into nan operation earlier chilling nan batch successful nan fridge for a mates of hours.

It’s usually served complete crystal ― and hey, if you want to beryllium genuinely authentic astir it, possibly you tin get your hands connected a woody “nog” to portion it from.