The Admiral and Grog…

Admiral Edward Vernon, a British naval officer, left his mark not only on history books but also on everyday language and even the landscape of London. Let’s embark on a journey through his surprising legacy:

In 1739, Vernon led a daring attack on Porto Bello (present-day Panama) with just six ships. His unlikely victory against the Spanish sparked national pride. A patriotic farmer, inspired by the news, named his farm “Portobello Farm” west of London. This eventually evolved into the iconic “Portobello Road” and the famous “Portobello Market,” supposedly the largest antiques market in the world.

Vernon’s influence extended beyond geographical locations. In 1740, he welcomed a new officer named Lawrence Washington, recruited from North America. Lawrence, impressed by his commander, named his family estate “Mount Vernon” after his time serving under Admiral Vernon.

During his seafaring days, Vernon wore a thick coat made of a coarse material called “grogram.” This earned him the nickname “Old Grog” among his sailors. Interestingly, the sailors received a daily rum ration, and in 1740, Vernon, perhaps influenced by Lawrence Washington, ordered the rum to be diluted with water. This watered-down version, initially called “Admiral’s Grog,” later became the standard “grog” throughout the British navy.

The word “groggy” initially referred to the state of being drunk, reflecting the effects of consuming too much grog. However, over time, its meaning has shifted in some circles. While the Concise Oxford Dictionary still defines “groggy” as “drunk,” it has also come to signify the feeling of being hungover, particularly in certain social settings.

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