Word of the Day

: December 31, 2012

hangover

noun HANG-oh-ver

What It Means

1 : something (as a surviving custom) that remains from what is past

2 a : disagreeable physical effects following heavy consumption of alcohol or the use of drugs

b : a letdown following great excitement or excess

hangover in Context

"Keep at about one drink an hour, about three drinks maximum for an entire episode, and then you really will prevent hangovers." - Dr. Krista Lisdahl (neurologist), as quoted in the ABC News Transcript, September 21, 2012

"Pliny the Elder includes, in a list of rabies cures, a recipe for inserting the ashes from a biting dog's tail into the wound-the origin of our hangover cure 'hair of the dog.'" - From an article by Monica Murphy and Bill Wasik in Wired, August 2012

Did You Know?

The effects of hangovers have been hanging around for ages. The word itself, however, has only been fermenting since the late 19th century. Originally, "hangover" described someone or something that remained or simply survived, but it was later distilled into common use as a word for the effects of overconsumption of alcohol or drugs. These days, "hangover" can also suggest an emotional letdown or an undesirable prolongation of notes or sounds from a loudspeaker.