Hair of the dog
Meaning
An alcoholic drink taken to cure or alleviate the symptoms of a hangover.
Origin
The phrase "hair of the dog" originally referred to an ancient folk remedy for an animal bite, where a few hairs from the very dog that bit you were placed into the wound, believed to prevent infection or further harm. This bizarre practice, based on a principle of "like cures like," was documented in English medical texts as early as the 16th century. It wasn't long before this curious logic was humorously applied to the after-effects of excessive drinking: if alcohol caused the suffering, then a little more alcohol—a "hair of the dog"—must be the cure. Thus, a folk remedy for dog bites was repurposed to describe a morning-after drink, suggesting a small dose of the poison itself could provide relief.
Examples
- After a rough night, he decided the only solution was a little hair of the dog to get him through the morning.
- She wasn't sure if a Bloody Mary would truly help, but she was willing to try the hair of the dog remedy.