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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: Geezer on 11/10/2011 15:04:38

Title: Hi haint got the bottle to arsk
Post by: Geezer on 11/10/2011 15:04:38
Wot is the real origin of the slang term "bottle"? I know it means nerve, courage, or similar, but what is the real origin?

I've seen suggestions that it's rhyming "bottle and glass". Any other theories?
Title: Hi haint got the bottle to arsk
Post by: imatfaal on 11/10/2011 15:44:47
Too many rhyming slang definitions are post hoc - I always thought this had links with dutch courage etc - finding your courage in a bottle (ie fighting drunk) and if you had lost your bottle...
Title: Hi haint got the bottle to arsk
Post by: neilep on 11/10/2011 19:44:56
Might it have something to do with drinking games do ewe think ?..ie: the last person standing has more bottle than the others ?

...it's either that or it has something to do with the Bottle Fairies !
Title: Hi haint got the bottle to arsk
Post by: Geezer on 11/10/2011 21:06:07
...it's either that or it has something to do with the Bottle Fairies !

You know, you could be right. We used to get them coming around on cold mornings. They would make the caps on the milk bottles sit about an inch above the top of the bottles. I'm sure they found it highly entertaining too - rotten little buggers.
Title: Hi haint got the bottle to arsk
Post by: Geezer on 12/10/2011 10:13:27
Do you think it's because you have to have the right gear, as in "Gottle of Gear"?