Rum is a native West Indian term for a spirit distilled from cane-juice; Whisky is an English rendering of the Irish Uisquebaugh, derived from the two Gaelic words uisge, water, and beatha, life; Brandy is a corruption of the Old English brandwine, literally burnt wine; while Gin is short for Geneva, where this spirit was first distilled. Hollands is the popular English name for Dutch gin. Cognac, a French brandy of the best quality, owes its designation to the town of which it forms the staple industry; and Nantes to the port where it is shipped. Old Tom was named after Tom Chamberlain, the senior partner in Messrs. Hodges’ well-known distillery.

The term Punch traces its origin to the Hindoo pantsch, signifying five, because this favourite concoction originally consisted of five ingredients, viz., arrack, sugar, tea, lemons, and water; whereas Toddy is a western corruption of taudi, the native Hindoo name for palm-juice. The word Grog perpetuates the memory of “Old Grog,” the nickname of Admiral Edward Vernon, who first ordered his sailors to dilute their rum with water [see Old Grog].

Scotch whisky is usually styled Mountain Dew, from the fact that in former times it was often distilled in the mountains in order to escape the watchfulness of the excise officers. The superior Scotch whisky known as Glenlivet derives its name from the district in which it is distilled. The popular LL Whisky originated under the following circumstances: When the Duke of Richmond was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, he one day, in the year 1807, sent to various Dublin distilleries for samples of their best whisky; and preferring that furnished by Messrs. Kinahan, his Grace ordered a large vat in which this particular quality of the spirit was kept to be reserved for his own use. Accordingly, the letters “LL,” signifying Lord Lieutenant, were painted on the vat; and ever since Messrs. Kinahan’s whisky of the same quality has borne the name of “LL Whisky.”