Posted by John Robinson on November 17, 1997 at 23:38:24:
In Reply to: Re: What is Blue Ruin? posted by John Robinson on November 17, 1997 at 23:22:27:
: : Many a time in many a book, Vance's characters sit down to some serious drinking and call for a jug of "Blue Ruin."
: : I've seen this in quite an early work -- The Five Gold Bands, I think -- and I've seen it in one of the Araminta books, so he's been using it as a stage prop for roughly fifty years.
: : Has anyone ever run across a drink in real life called "Blue Ruin" or is Vance just having us on? If someone has heard of it in a non-Vance context, what's the formula?
: In Roget's Thesaurus 1911 version (online) blue ruin is listed under the catagory "Drunkenness". drink; alcoholic drinks; blue ruin*, grog, port wine; punch, punch bowl; etc etc etc for a full page. Haven't been able to figure out what the asterick means but it seems to be in a sub group with grog and port wine both of which were drunk by British sailors of the 19th century.
: Vance was in MM so blue ruin probably some sailor drink.
: John Robinson
To correct, Vance was a sailor, not sure if he was MM. Also I think 5 Gold Bands was published 1953 44 years ago not 50. I think it was the first Vance I ever read (part of an Ace Double with another Vance - maybe Dragon Master's??) Don't make me older than I am!!
John