APAD: The hair of the dog

Meaning:

   A small measure of drink, intended to cure a hangover.

 

Background:

   The fuller version of this phrase, that is, `the hair of the dog that bit

   me', gives a clue to the source of the name of this supposed hangover cure.

 

   That derivation is from the medieval belief that, when someone was bitten by

   a rabid dog, a cure could be made by applying the same dog's hair to the

   infected wound. How many people managed to get bitten again when trying to

   approach the aforesaid dog to acquire the hair to achieve this completely

   useless remedy isn't known. The knowledge of the derivation should at least

   put paid to the frequent `hare of the dog' misspelling.

 

   Whilst the hair of the dog that bit us is now dismissed as an effective

   rabies treatment, the taking of additional alcohol to cure a hangover has

   some scientific basis. The symptoms of hangover are partly induced by a

   withdrawal from alcohol poisoning. A small measure of alcohol may be some

   temporary relief, even if in the longer term it makes the hangover worse.

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

My trick to enjoy Chinese hard liqor, 二锅头, for example, is not to be

greedy. Pluck a few hairs but not too many that the dog starts to bristle.

Several factors come into play as one tries to strike a balance, hydration,

mood, food being consumed, etc. Over time, one develops an art.