hogshead
[hawgz-hed, hogz-]
- a large cask, especially one containing from 63 to 140 gallons (238 to 530 liters).
- any of various units of liquid measure, especially one equivalent to 63 gallons (238 liters). Abbreviation: hhd
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Origin of hogshead
1350–1400; Middle English hoggeshed, literally, hog's head; unexplained
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hogshead
Contemporary Examples
“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.
Historical Examples
They have brought a hogshead of beer, and are broaching it upon the high altar.
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
When in hospital, chance had given him Hogshead Geoffrey for bed-neighbour.
A Nest of SpiesPierre Souvestre
Then, to repeat my interrogatory, what was you a doing of with the kitten in the hogshead?
Paul Prescott's ChargeHoratio Alger
I wish Mr. Schultz were in a hogshead of it, with the top on.
Proserpina, Volume 1John Ruskin
The utmost of his generosity to Amhurst, that I ever heard of, was a hogshead of claret!
WaverleySir Walter Scott
hogshead
- a unit of capacity, used esp for alcoholic beverages. It has several values, being 54 imperial gallons in the case of beer and 52.5 imperial gallons in the case of wine
- a large cask used for shipment of wines and spirits
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Word Origin
C14: of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for hogshead
n.
"large cask or barrel," late 14c., presumably on some perceived resemblance. The original liquid measure was 63 old wine gallons (by a statute of 1423); later anywhere from 100 to 140 gallons. Borrowed into other Germanic languages, oddly, as ox-head (cf. Dutch okshoofd, German oxhoft, Swedish oxhufvud).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper