In Ireland, a naggin is a 200ml bottle of spirits.[1] Major brands of vodka, whiskey, rum, and less often gin, are commonly sold in this size in off licences, especially independent (non-chain) shops, typically at 37.5% to 40% ABV.[2] Naggins are more common than half-bottles (350ml - known as a "shoulder" or a "daddy naggin"), though for the less popular majority of products neither size is available, only the 700 mL EU standard bottle size . The naggin bottle is typically the shape of a large hip flask, suitable for placing in a pocket.

A Naggin of Smirnoff vodka

Name Origin

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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, naggin is a variant of noggin, a word of uncertain origin recorded from the seventeenth century and meaning a small quantity of alcohol, usually one gill (0.25 imperial pints (140 mL)). Tomás S. Ó Máille derives it from the Irish naigín, cnaigín, a small wooden pail with a capacity of two glasses.[3]

Naggins, particularly of cheap vodka, are very popular among youths, under-age drinkers and students. They are often implicated in binge drinking.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "How Many Standard Drinks?", DrinkAware.ie, retrieved 2 December 2013
  2. ^ "New Jägermeister 20cl (naggin) launched". DrinksIndustryIreland. 10 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013. This size is unique to the Irish off-trade and holds a considerable and growing share of spirit sales - particularly in the independent off-trade.
  3. ^ Tomás S. Ó Máille, Seanfhocla Chonnacht, Cois Life, 2010, p. 368
  4. ^ "New 'Sneaky Naggin' drinking fad pressures students to drink spirit bottle down in one", independent.ie, 12 February 2015, retrieved 17 May 2019