The slang term, "scuttle-butt" came from partaking of the contents of the "butt" that was stored below deck (scuttle) in a boat. Thayne Andersen >>From: Michael Landon <[log in to unmask]> >> >>Sebastian: >> >> Calvert's Malted Ales was a flourishing, family owned, mass >> producer of >>cheap beer in 18th century England. A "butt" was a slang term for (besides >>a lot of other things) a wooden cask used in the storage of ale and other >>products. "Mum" was a kind of malted, wheat-based beer developed in >>Brunswick, Germany, that was imported into England in large quantities in >>the 18th century--see the OED (2nd edn.) for more details. >> >> >>Michael de L. Landon >>Professor of History (Emeritus) >>University of Mississippi >>Tel: 662-915-7105 >>Fax: 662-915-7033 >>E-mail: <[log in to unmask]> > ------------------------------------- Thayne Andersen, LCSW web page: http://www.hoochinoo.com military web page: http://www.hoochinoo.com/military/military.htm European photos: http://www.hoochinoo.com/european/european.htm