A Shot of Beer History #8: The Case of a Naggin Too Much ...

A curious case presented itself in the village of Moneygall in Offaly in 1869 and was reported in the local newspaper, where an inspector of weights and measures found that there were many cases where the volumes of measures used in certain public houses for serving ale and porter to the customer were incorrect, but not in favour of the publican - in most cases the loss was on the side of the seller. Nevertheless, the publicans were summoned to appear in front of the local magistrates and as examples, a pair of half-gallon measures were produced belonging to two publicans, a Mr. McDonnell and a Mrs. Wafer. Both measures had been found to be correct six months previous but now held a naggin more than they previously did according to the inspector. This would equate to over 4% extra liquid per measure, which would amount to a moderate but notable loss to the publican over time.

The magistrates were at a loss as to how this could happen, but the puzzle was solved when a tinman called Mr. Waters took to the stand and gave the following explanation. He described how 'when the "buys" called for "a half gallon," and finished it, they were in the habit of "drivin' down the bottom with the butt of a whip," in order that the next "measurement" might be larger.' This could certainly be achieved quite easily with measures that had an inset rim around the base, which most certainly did by way of manufacture. He also confessed that 'when he made the vessels he did "hansell" them' himself. (A 'hansel' appears to be an old and obsolete name for the handle of a flail, so possibly also a whip.) So this seems to have been a common practice - in Moneygall anyhow - and a good reason to bring your whip on your drinking sessions!

The session chairman joked that Mr. Waters should not be allowed to make vessels for the houses in which he was in the habit of drinking, much to the laughter of the assembled audience, before another magistrate - a Captain Garvey, who appears to be a bit of a spoilsport - interjected to point out that a heavy penalty could be imposed on any person who sold unjust measures.

The bench eventually dismissed all the cases where the loss was with the seller, as no fraud on their part could possibly be intended, although all measures were to be readjusted to the satisfaction of the inspector.

Perhaps the publicans kept a closer eye on the bases of their measures and those who carried whips or flails into their house after that, but it was certainly an ingenious way of getting a larger pour of porter!

Liam K

Please note, all written content and the research involved in publishing it here is my own unless otherwise stated and cannot be reproduced elsewhere without permission, full credit to its sources, and a link back to this post. Newspaper research was thanks to The British Newspaper Archive and the quoted article appears in The Kings County Chronicle of 3rd February 1869. The photo of the measure - and the measure itself - is the author's own. DO NOT STEAL THIS CONTENT!