Owl Meat's Tipsy Tuesdays: The hair of the dog
There's an old saying that goes, "Some days, you get to bite the dog, and some days the dog gets to bite you." At least, I think that's how it goes.
Either way, here's Owl Meat with a guest column on the intriguing history and science behind another old saying, "the hair of the dog."
We've all heard the expression "hair of the dog," meaning taking a drink to cure a hangover. The whole phrase is "the hair of the dog that bit you." It has an interesting history.
As a hangover cure, the hair of the dog metaphor dates back to Shakespeare's time. The original literal usage referred a very ill-conceived cure for rabies.
From the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898): "In Scotland it is a popular belief that a few hairs of the dog that bit you applied to the wound will prevent evil consequences.
Applied to drinks, it means, if overnight you have indulged too freely, take a glass of the same wine next morning to soothe the nerves. 'If this dog do you bite, soon as out of your bed, take a hair of the tail in the morning.'" ...
Ironically, the song "Hair of the Dog" by Nazareth is the very last thing you should play when you have a hangover. That guy's voice might make your head explode.
Trying to cure rabies may seem loony today, but it is an example of homeopathic medicine that dates back to at least the time of Hippocrates.
The credo of homeopathy in Latin is "similia similibus curantur" (like cures like). In other words, a wee bit of the thing that would kill you will cure you. I'm not judging, just reporting. Vaccines almost work that way, but it's not the amount of the pathogen that matters but its similarity to the real deal in a more harmless form.
In homeopathy they dilute a substance to the point where there is almost no original molecules left. They believe that water has memory, so you really don't need the original molecules. Sure.
Wow, that's too much science. Now it's time to go out and bite that dog before it bites me. Play me out, Nazareth ...
(Photo by Getty Images)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
The Scots have the best hair of the dog ever: Irn-Bru and a hearty breakfast.
It also helps to get a deep-fried Mars bar the night before (or a Cadbury Caramel bar of you're picky like me).
Posted by: Patchen | February 9, 2010 12:24 PM
I've always wondered what that expression meant and where it came from. Thanks!
Posted by: Brett | February 9, 2010 12:25 PM
Another thing: There is some thought that part of the reason for a hangover is withdrawal, so "hair of the dog" would make perfect sense.
From http://biology.about.com/od/physiology/a/alcoholhangover.htm :
"Overlap exists between hangover and the symptoms of mild alcohol withdrawal (AW), leading to the assertion that hangover is a manifestation of mild withdrawal. Hangovers, however, may occur after a single bout of drinking, whereas withdrawal occurs usually after multiple, repeated bouts. Other differences between hangover and AW include a shorter period of impairment (i.e., hours for hangover versus several days for withdrawal) and a lack of hallucinations and seizures in hangover."
Whether it makes sense or not, it's a way of coping that I personally enjoy.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 9, 2010 4:15 PM
I know from experience that "hair of the dog" usually works, but sometimes I drink tequila. Just can't get it past my nose in the morning. Also, the boss really hates it when I show up with Cuervo-breath!
Posted by: kimmer | February 9, 2010 6:18 PM
Unless Irn-Bru has alcohol in it, it doesn't qualify.
Homeoapthy, of course, is a total crock.
Posted by: skepticat | February 10, 2010 4:47 AM
A nice little piece but please stop propagating the wrong information about homeopathy. While it is true that some homeopathic remedies are highly diluted, the vast majority of homeopathic remedies used around the world are low potency, containing active material substance. As you point out, what makes something homeopathic is the similarity of the substance to the disease.
Posted by: drgarber | February 10, 2010 12:11 PM
Thank you for your comment, Dr. Garber. I was going to post some links to some research articles that show evidence of the effect of homeopathic products beyond the placebo effect. I couldn't find any. Perhaps you could point us in the right direction.
I would try some products myself, but it turns out I'm addicted to placebos, so I can't chance it.
Posted by: Owl Meat Guise | February 11, 2010 12:40 PM
@skepticat—My bad, that was supposed to say: whiskey, Irn-Bru, and a healthy breakfast. I was too busy looking up the spelling of Irn-Bru to proofread my own post. :-)
Posted by: Patchen | February 12, 2010 10:07 AM
I never heard of Irn-Bru. It seems to be the most popular soda in Scotland, an orange caffeinated thing popular as a hangover cure.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | February 13, 2010 11:54 AM