where does the hangover cure hair of the dog come from?

Answer 1

Heywoods Proverbs in the 1500's

Answer 2

The real entymology of this expression dates back to Britain in the 1500's, when the wise women of villages produced all manner of cures to the people around, as doctors were expensive and innefective, however, the wise woman was often more successful in her treatment of ailments and wounds. Often not so too, and many of the ingredients were absolutely unimaginable by today's standards. It was believed at the time that if you were bitten by a dog (bearing in mind Rabies was still prevalent in the British Isles at the time) to cure the wound, prevent infection, and stop the chances of one going insane, the cure involved digesting the hair of the exact dog that bit you, any other would not do, it had to be that dog, hence, the hair of the dog.....that bit you.

Providing you haven't mixed your drinks the night before, a small dose of the drink you were drinking to give you the hangover will make you feel a lot better. Temporarily. Good question.

Answer 3

In the past it was believed that having some part of someone gave you power over them. People were often paranoid about letting anyone get hold of one of their hairs or toe-nails, as this allowed spells to be cast, aimed at them. Even knowing someone's real name gave you great power!
Equally, this power could be used for healing. It therefore made sense that if a dog had bitten you, one of the dog's hairs would give power to the cure - either by placing the hair across the wound, or swallowing the hair as part of a cure. Taking more alcohol on board to cure alcohol poisoning is therefore known as "the hair of the dog (that bit you)"
Some people regard this as an example of "similia similibus curantur", or "like cures like" - look this up on a medical website, especially those linked with homeopathy.
As I'm sure you've realised, the hair of the dog is a pretty rubbish cure for a hangover - it may delay the symptoms for a while, but you are going to feel even worse eventually as your liver will have even more toxins to deal with. The best thing I've found are taking Milk Thistle (helps the liver flush out the toxins), drinking litres and litres of water and also having a scrambled egg butty with ketchup before you go to bed!
Best of luck!

Answer 4

the actual phrase "the hair of the dog that bit you " So if you have a hangover the hair of the dog cure would be more alcohol- which does work by the way

Answer 5

Enough people in the world have figured out by experience that to have a drink in the morning will take away the hangover. Yes, it does work although it can lead to a really vicious cycle and if you're not careful, you will fall head first into the bottle and it is sometimes pretty hard to work your way back out.

Answer 6

The "hair of the dog that bit you", does in fact mean, have the same of what got you in the first place. When I was first told this years ago, I could have blew chunks all over the guy that told me. Its the worst possible thing you can imagine doing after waking up a hot mess, in a bathroom, on the floor, pants down, after a night of Yeungling, jager bombs, Jack, Jose and Jim debauchery. But I actually tried it for the first time ever a couple of months ago, and I felt better in minutes. Really.

Answer 7

Hair of the dog that bit you, in other words.........have another drink!!
Personally though, I find a BIG GREASY fry-up is the best hangover cure on the planet!!

Answer 8

Beer made you drunk and get a hangover the next morning? have a beer when ya get up and combat teh hangover by getting drunk again.

OR!!!!!!

Have a 8oz glass of gatoraid to get rid of a hangover in 3 minutes.

Answer 9

If you have too much alcohol the night before the reducing levels of alcohol cause vasoconstriction, causing headache and that queasy feeling. Another drink can help to relieve it but I would not make a habit of it.

Answer 10

.....This is the real answer....... In days gone by it was thought that if you cut yourself you should rub a dogs hair into the wound so it got better..... Hence Hair of the dog.