Sergeant Majors

[Pudcat]

Why do we sometimes call a nice cup of tea " A nice drop of Sergeant majors?

[Quizmonster]

In the 1920s, the phrase was American military slang for coffee with sugar and cream, whereas it was British military slang for tea with milk and sugar or rum. The idea in both cases was that it was the most reviving of drinks and probably suggested that SMs got preferential treatment...especially with the rum version!

[Pudcat]

Thank you Quizzy, I might have known you would come up with the answer, Can you also tell me why it is on special morning s (Christmas) the NCOs come around with tea and it is called Gunfire?
Regards
Pudcat

[makemesmile]

There's a black tea called Gunpowder - could that be what you're referring to?

[Quizmonster]

'Gunfire' or 'the morning gun' was a shot fired on ships and at military camps to indicate daybreak. Clearly, an early cuppa became associated with that tradition and took on its name. Nowadays, this wake-up call no longer happens in that form, though the name is still used on special occasions such as you describe. (Thanks for the kind comment.)

[Pudcat]

Thank you again Quizzy, Great stuff, is there anyting you don't know?
I do remember "Gunfire" very well as when I was in the trenchs of the Korean War in 1953 , our platoon sergeant came around on Xmas morning with a lovely tea flask fortified with Rum. and he called called it Gunfire.

[Quizmonster]

I've said it before here many times and I daresay I'll say it again, Pudcat...you could fill hangars with stuff I don't know. I do have excellent research resources. (Thank you again, however. I only just missed Korea by a couple of years myself.)

[Pudcat]

Believe me Quizzy you didn't miss much; Damn cold place and very dangerous at that time.
Regards Pudcat