The province of India known as Punjab derives its name from two Persian words, panj, meaning five, and ab, meaning water, a name that alludes to the five tributaries of the Indus river that flow though that territory: the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej. Likewise, the beverage named punch, first referred to in the early seventeenth century, probably derives its name from the Persian word panj because it was traditionally made with five ingredients: ram, water, lemon, sugar, and spice. It is also possible, however, that punch takes its name from puncheon, the name of a large barrel used on ships to store necessities such as rum. British sailors—whose lives consisted of drinking rum, receiving the lash, and swabbing the poop deck—may have transferred the name puncheon from the barrel to the rum concoction it contained (sea captains regularly diluted their sailors’ rum with other substances). Puncheon may then have been shortened to punch, perhaps on the analogy that drinking enough of it will, like a boxer’s punch, knock you silly. In fact, however, this other punch—the one boxers throw—is not related to the beverage punch; instead, the pugilist’s punch derives from the Latin pungere, meaning to pierce, which is also the source of the word puncture. Another unrelated punch is the one in Punch and Judy, a violent puppet whose name is short for the Italian Punchinello; in turn, Punchinello is a corruption of the Neapolitan word polecenella, meaning little turkey, and was applied to the puppet because of his beaklike nose. Incidentally, it was the triumph of Punch over all his opponents that inspired the saying pleased as Punch.
An instrument for making a small circular hole in material or tissue, especially the skin.
A beverage concocted from a variety of ingredients, such as milk, tea, fruit juices, wines, liquors, and carbonated drinks, and infused with sugar and spices. The term may have originated from a Hindustani word meaning a drink that incorporates five components.
Immerse yourself in the world of delightful libations known as punch a beverage that harmonizes a medley of ingredients, with one essential component being a spirit. The origins of its name trace back to the Hindu word “panch,” signifying “five,” as it was initially concocted from a quintet of elements: the spirit arrack, sugar, spices, lemon juice, and water. Punches gained popularity across Europe during the seventeenth century, captivating the palates of many. In contemporary times, the art of punch-making embraces a broader spectrum, as a diverse array of bases such as white or red wine, cider, beer, cold tea, champagne, or sherry are employed. To further elevate its allure, punches may feature additions of whisky, rum, brandy, or fruit liqueurs, crafting a harmonious blend of flavors for indulgence.