Naggin

A Naggin of Smirnoff vodka

A naggin in Ireland is a 200 mL bottle of spirits.[1] Major brands of vodka, whiskey, rum, and less often gin, are commonly sold in this size in off licences, especially independent (non-chain) shops.[2] Naggins are more common than half-bottles (350 mL, known as a shoulder), though for the less popular majority of products neither size is available, only the 700 mL EU standard bottle size. The naggin bottle is typically the shape of a large hip flask, suitable for placing in a pocket.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, naggin is a variant of noggin, a word of uncertain origin recorded from the seventeenth century and meaning a small quantity of alcohol, usually one gill (0.25 imperial pints (140 mL)). Tomás S. Ó Máille derives it from the Irish naigín, cnaigín, a small wooden pail with a capacity of two glasses.[3]

Naggins, particularly of cheap vodka, are popular among youths, under-age drinkers and students. They are often implicated in binge drinking.


References

  1. "How Many Standard Drinks?", DrinkAware.ie, retrieved 2 December 2013
  2. "New Jägermeister 20cl (naggin) launched". DrinksIndustryIreland. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2013. This size is unique to the Irish off-trade and holds a considerable and growing share of spirit sales - particularly in the independent off-trade.
  3. Tomás S. Ó Máille, Seanfhocla Chonnacht, Cois Life, 2010, p. 368