Waking up after a wild night of drinking can feel like being run over by a train. The pounding headache, dry throat, nausea, and regret all mix into one unpleasant cocktail we call a hangover. Across cultures and centuries, one strange but enduring idea has resurfaced: the best cure for a hangover is… more alcohol. This curious belief is summed up in the idiom “hair of the dog” or more fully, “the hair of the dog that bit you.” Hair of the Dog.
It sounds odd, almost whimsical, but it’s an expression deeply rooted in folklore, medical history, and modern drinking culture. Let’s dive into the origins, meaning, cultural context, and even the science behind this peculiar phrase.
What Does “Hair of the Dog” Mean?
The phrase refers to the practice of consuming a small amount of alcohol in the morning to relieve the unpleasant effects of a hangover from the night before.
- Short definition: A hangover “cure” involving more alcohol.
- Full saying: “The hair of the dog that bit you.”
- Modern use: Ordering a Bloody Mary, a mimosa, or even just a beer at brunch after a rough night out.
Think of it as a folk remedy. Instead of coffee or aspirin, you reach for a glass of what made you sick in the first place.
| Expression | Meaning | Example in Conversation |
| Hair of the dog | Drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover | “I feel awful. I need a hair of the dog.” |
| Bite the dog that bit you | Same as above, more old-fashioned | “He swears by biting the dog that bit him after weddings.” |
| A bit of what ails you | Small dose of the same thing causing the trouble | “Just have a whiskey, it’s a bit of what ails you.” |
Read More: Shown vs Showed: The Complete Guide to Getting It Right
The Strange Origins of the Idiom
The saying comes from an ancient medical belief: if a rabid dog bit you, the cure was to apply a burnt piece of the same dog’s hair to the wound.
- Medieval medicine: Physicians once prescribed treatments based on the principle similia similibus curantur—“like cures like.”
- Folklore: Applying a piece of the culprit to the wound would supposedly neutralize its effects.
- Historical records: The earliest known appearance is in John Heywood’s 1546 collection A Dialogue Conteinyng the Number in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue.
“I pray thee let me and my fellow have a haire of the dog that bit us last night.”
This shows that by the 16th century, the expression had already shifted from rabid dog bites to hangovers caused by alcohol.
Historical and Cultural References
The idiom has popped up in literature, proverbs, and everyday speech across centuries:
- Shakespearean era: Ben Jonson used the phrase in his 1614 play Bartholomew Fayre.
- Scottish Proverbs: James Kelly (1721) listed it as “the hair of the dog that bit you” in his proverb collection.
- 19th century: Ebenezer Cobham Brewer explained it in his Dictionary of Phrase and Fable as a common cure for drunkenness.
Interestingly, the idea wasn’t confined to England:
- Russia: Vodka shots are still considered a classic “morning-after” cure.
- Germany: A Konterbier (“counter-beer”) is the same idea.
- Japan: Known as “counter drinking.”
- Spain & Italy: A small glass of wine or grappa often follows a heavy night.
This global spread shows how deeply ingrained the concept is in drinking cultures worldwide.
Why People Believe It Works
From a psychological point of view, a “hair of the dog” seems to work because:
- Alcohol dulls withdrawal symptoms. After drinking heavily, your body experiences a mini withdrawal. More alcohol delays these symptoms.
- Short-term relief. That Bloody Mary or whiskey shot might temporarily make you feel “normal.”
- Placebo effect. Belief itself can have powerful effects on how the body feels.
| Scientific Claim | Explanation | Reality |
| Alcohol “cures” hangover | Suppresses withdrawal symptoms temporarily | Relief fades quickly; hangover often worsens later |
| Prevents headaches | Vasodilation eases tension | Dehydration still persists |
| Ancient medical wisdom | “Like cures like” (similia similibus curantur) | Modern medicine doesn’t support this |
So while it might offer momentary comfort, doctors warn it’s not a real cure—just a delay tactic.
Examples in Modern Language
The idiom is alive and well in everyday conversation, bars, and popular culture.
- At brunch:
Amy groaned, “That mimosa isn’t for fun, it’s just the hair of the dog.” - In novels: Jack Kerouac referenced the practice in On the Road, highlighting post-war drinking culture.
- Casual talk:
“You look like death warmed up.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll grab the hair of the dog at the pub.”
| Synonyms / Variations | Usage |
| Bite the dog that bit you | Old English saying |
| A bit of what ails you | More general remedy phrase |
| Fight fire with fire | Figurative equivalent |
Cocktails and the “Hair of the Dog” Tradition
Over time, the phrase became tied to specific drinks seen as “hangover cures.”
- Bloody Mary – tomato juice, vodka, lemon, Worcestershire, Tabasco (brunch staple).
- Mimosa – champagne + orange juice, light and bubbly.
- Corpse Revivers – 1930s cocktails explicitly designed to “bring you back to life.”
- Whiskey or beer – the simplest and most traditional.
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Why It’s Popular as a Cure |
| Bloody Mary | Vodka, tomato juice, spices | Savory, hydrating, vitamin C |
| Mimosa | Champagne, orange juice | Light, easy on stomach |
| Corpse Reviver #2 | Gin, Cointreau, Lillet, lemon juice, absinthe | “Medicinal” name, strong kick |
| Beer (“counter-beer”) | Just beer | Easy, widely available |
Even today, brunch culture thrives on the wink-and-nod tradition of ordering a morning drink not just for pleasure, but for “recovery.”
The Counterintuitive Nature of the Idiom
At its core, the phrase is fascinating because it’s counterintuitive: why would you treat alcohol-related illness with more alcohol?
It reflects a broader human tendency to look for shortcuts and magical fixes rather than dealing with consequences directly. Like other folk remedies—rosemary for memory, raw eggs for energy—it survives because people want it to work.
Alternatives to “Hair of the Dog”
If you’re hungover, there are healthier remedies than alcohol:
- Water (Adams ale) – dehydration is the main culprit.
- Electrolyte drinks – replace lost minerals.
- Light foods – toast, soup, fruit.
- Rest – sleep is the real healer.
- Coffee or tea – mild stimulants to clear the fog.
| Remedy | Why It Works | Limitation |
| Water | Rehydrates body | Doesn’t stop headache |
| Electrolytes | Balance salts, relieve dizziness | Won’t help nausea much |
| Soup | Gentle on stomach | Mild effect |
| Coffee | Boosts alertness | May worsen dehydration |
| Sleep | Lets body repair | Requires time |
Doctors stress: “hair of the dog” isn’t a cure, it’s a crutch.
Deeper Idiomatic Insights
Beyond hangovers, the phrase has figurative power in English. It’s used metaphorically for tackling problems by using the very thing that caused them:
- Business context: “They used debt to cover debt—a real hair of the dog strategy.”
- Philosophy: It aligns with the idea of “fighting evil with evil.”
- Fantasy writing: Some authors twist it—vampires cured by more blood, werewolves healed by fur.
This flexibility makes the idiom both vivid and enduring in the English language.
FAQs about “Hair of the Dog”
What does “hair of the dog” mean?
It means drinking a small amount of alcohol to relieve hangover symptoms.
Where does the phrase come from?
It originates from the ancient belief that the cure for a dog bite was to apply burnt hair from the same dog.
Does “hair of the dog” actually work?
It may temporarily dull hangover symptoms, but it doesn’t cure them and may worsen dehydration.
What’s the most common “hair of the dog” drink?
The Bloody Mary, followed by beer and mimosas, especially at brunch.
Can “hair of the dog” be used figuratively?
Yes, it’s often applied metaphorically to mean fighting a problem with the very thing that caused it.
Conclusion
The idiom “hair of the dog” has traveled a long journey—from medieval medicine and rabid dogs to brunch tables and cocktail menus. While science tells us it’s no real cure for hangovers, its cultural presence is undeniable. It lives on because it captures something deeply human: the hope that a small dose of yesterday’s trouble can make today more bearable.
Whether used literally—ordering a Bloody Mary after a wild night—or figuratively, the phrase remains one of the most colorful and enduring idioms in the English language.
And perhaps that’s the real magic: not the “cure” itself, but the way it adds humor, history, and richness to the way we talk about life’s rough mornings.
