Hair of the dog

Meaning

A small dose of something to relieve a hangover.

Usage

Used in tavern talk to justify a morning drink.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Folkloric remedy for poisoning.

Used in the 17th-century to describe hangover cures.