Etymology Journal ยท O
One for the road
Meaning
- A final drink or a final act before leaving a place for the night. It is the last bit of hospitality before the journey home.
Social, festive
Used in a sentence
- Are you ready to leave, or do you want one for the road?
- We sat for an hour and had one for the road before calling an Uber.
- I will take one for the road, thanks for the great night.
The backstory
This originated in the days of horse-drawn carriages and early taverns. Travelers would take one final drink before starting the long, cold ride home on the road.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check