Hip flask

Hip flask

A hip flask is a thin flask for holding a distilled beverage; its size and shape are suited to a trouser pocket.

Description

Hip flasks are often made of stainless steel with a leather cover for decoration. Some come with small cups to make sharing easier, although generally liquid is drunk directly from the flask. They are usually contoured to match the curve of the wearer's hip or thigh, for comfort and discreetness.

Engraving

The hip flask is popular as commemorative item Fact|date=August 2008, often being engravedFact|date=August 2008. The "Modern Drunkard Magazine" describes the engraved flask as the best present one can give. The engravings may be a short quote, the recipient's initials, toasts, dates of memorable occasions, or signs of friendship.

History

The hip flask began to appear in the form recognised today in the 18th century, initially used by members of the gentry. However, less compact versions had been in production for several centuries. Notably, in the middle ages, there are several accounts of gutted fruit being used to store liquor. During the 18th century, women boarding docked British warships would smuggle gin into the ship via makeshift flasks, created from pig's bladders and hidden inside their petticoats. Following the act of prohibition in 1920s America, the state of Indiana banned the sale of cocktail shakers and hip flasks.

Antique hip flasks, particularly those made of silver, are now sought-after collector's items. The hip flask appears frequently in comedy, in part because it allows drinking in inappropriate situations where a bottle would not be found.

In the Royal Air Force, "hip-flask" is used as code for a revolver.

External links

* [http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1232436 Hip flask at everything2.com]
* [http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=441 Article mentioning the banning of Hip Flasks]
* [http://www.associations.rafinfo.org.uk/code_names.htm RAF codes]


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • hip flask — n a small container for alcoholic drinks, that fits into your pocket …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • hip flask — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms hip flask : singular hip flask plural hip flasks British a small bottle for alcoholic drinks that fits in your pocket …   English dictionary

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  • hip flask — noun A container designed to hold small amounts of alcohol, especially spirits, for personal consumption on the go. Syn: hip pocket flask, pocket flask …   Wiktionary

  • hip flask — noun a small flask for spirits, of a kind intended to be carried in a hip pocket …   English new terms dictionary

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  • Flask — may refer to: *Vacuum flask a container designed to keep warm drinks warm and refrigerated drinks cold *Hip flask, a small container used to carry a small amount of liquid *Laboratory flask, laboratory glassware for holding larger volumes than… …   Wikipedia

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