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