Naggin
A naggin in Ireland is a 200ml 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, typically at 37.5% to 40% ABV.[2] Naggins are more common than half-bottles (350ml - known as a "shoulder" or a "daddy naggin"), 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 very popular among youths, under-age drinkers and students. They are often implicated in binge drinking.[4]
References
- "How Many Standard Drinks?", DrinkAware.ie, retrieved 2 December 2013
- "New Jägermeister 20cl (naggin) launched". DrinksIndustryIreland. 10 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. 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.
- Tomás S. Ó Máille, Seanfhocla Chonnacht, Cois Life, 2010, p. 368
- "New 'Sneaky Naggin' drinking fad pressures students to drink spirit bottle down in one", independent.ie, retrieved 17 May 2019