A different theory on "honeymoon"
Posted by Bruce Kahl on October 14, 2001
In Reply to: Link for OED's Word of the Day posted by R. Berg on October 14, 2001
: : The Oxford English Dictionary's Word of the Day is "honeymoon."
It will prevail until midnight Greenwich time Sunday, Oct. 14. You
can check out the often misunderstood history of this word at
: : www.oed.com/
cgi/display/wotd
: And here's the link:
According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable:
Honeymoon.
The month after marriage, or so much of it as is spent away from
home; so called from the practice of the ancient Teutons of drinking
honey-wine (hydromel) for thirty days after marriage. Attila, the
Hun, indulged so freely in hydromel at his wedding-feast that he
died. 1
"It was the custom of the higher order of the Teutons . to drink
mead or metheglin (a beverage made from honey) for thirty days after
every wedding. From this comes the expression 'to spend the honeymoon.'"-W.
Pulleyn: Etymological Compendium, § 9, p. 142.
- Wrapped around your finger jane 10/23/01