Definition of tipple

The word "tipple" is an old term for alcoholic beverages, particularly those with high alcohol content. It is believed to have originated from a Scandinavian word "tiup ×l" or "drup ×l", which means "tree sap". In medieval times, sap from trees like maple or birch, which is rich in sugar, was fermented to create a drink similar to wine. This drink, known as "treap", was consumed for its intoxicating effects, and its name is said to have contributed to the evolution of the word "tipple". As the use of brewed grains and fruits as an alcoholic beverage became more widespread, the meaning of "tipple" shifted to incorporate these as well. It was commonly used in England during the 18th and 19th centuries to refer to a small serving of alcoholic drink, particularly in pubs. Nowadays, while the term is still occasionally used as slang for alcoholic beverages, it has lost much of its common usage due to the prevalence of more modern alcoholic beverage terminology. In summary, the word "tipple" likely emerged from the Scandinavian word for tree sap, which itself transformed into the word for an intoxicating drink, eventually being adopted by English speakers as a term for small servings of alcohol in pubs.