Where "Grog" Comes From
One of the oldest, best-documented drinking words in the English language. In August 1740, Royal Navy Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon ordered that sailors' daily rum ration be diluted with water rather than drunk neat, to curb drunkenness on board. Vernon was nicknamed "Old Grog" after the "grogram" cloak he wore (from French gros-grain, "rough-textured" fabric), and the watered-down ration took on his nickname.
The earliest printed use of "grog" for the drink dates to 1749, and by 1796 the Vernon origin story was established enough to appear in a published slang dictionary. Australian English inherited the word from British naval tradition and broadened it into a general, casual term for alcohol.
Source:
"Bring your own grog to the barbecue."
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used broadly for any alcoholic drink, from beer to spirits, especially in casual social settings.
"Bring your own grog" (often shortened to BYO) is a standard instruction for Australian gatherings.
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