Feeling Groggy? 🥴
Ever felt groggy in the morning?
You can thank the Royal Navy for that.
In 1740, Vice Admiral Edward Vernon – nicknamed “Old Grog” for his coarse grogram coat – ordered that sailors’ daily rum be mixed with water.
They weren’t thrilled… and called the watered-down drink “grog.”
Too much of it, and you’d wake up groggy the next day.
From the decks of the Royal Navy to everyday English… that’s how feeling groggy sailed into our language.
Even George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate was named in 'Old Grog’s' honour.
The Maritime Origins Series
Maritime Origins is a storytelling series created by Jason Nangle, Founder of Angle Recruitment, a global maritime recruitment and executive search firm.
The series explores the fascinating history behind everyday phrases that originated at sea, as well as the remarkable stories, traditions and characters that have shaped maritime culture.
Many sayings still used today were first spoken by sailors navigating the challenges of life on board ships. Alongside these phrase origins, the series also highlights lesser-known maritime stories, legends and historical moments from the world of shipping.
Through short stories and visual posts, Maritime Origins connects the language, heritage and traditions of seafarers with the modern maritime industry.
New posts in the series launch every Tuesday on LinkedIn and are then shared across other platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Follow
Jason Nangle on LinkedIn and Angle Recruitment across your preferred social platforms.
Sounding someone out: the leadsman's weighted line, the tallow that read the seabed, how Mark Twain got his name, and why an interview answer is half the story.
The golden rivet: the shipyard wind up that sent every new hand into the bilges, the Royal Navy's ruder version, and the hidden talent recruiters actually find.
Where "son of a gun" really comes from: babies born between the cannons on Royal Navy gun decks. The history, the fun facts and why it now means grit.
