Where Does the Word Heeltap Come from?

Chloe Bennett
Chloe Bennett
• • 6 min read

Heel-Tap (N.) Also Heeltap, 1680S, "One of the Bits of Leather That Are Stacked up to Make a Shoe Heel" (See Heel (N. 1)); Meaning "Bit of Liquor Left in a...

Where Does the Word Heeltap Come from?

heel-tap (n.)
also heeltap, 1680s, "one of the bits of leather that are stacked up to make a shoe heel" (see heel (n. 1)); meaning "bit of liquor left in a glass or bottle" first recorded 1767; the exact connection is uncertain unless it be "the last or final part." Related: Heeltaps.

What means Heeltap?

: a small quantity of alcoholic beverage remaining (as in a glass after drinking)

Must Read

What does no heel taps mean?

4. no heel-taps! An old toast which referred to a heel-tap, the fag-end of a drink still at the bottom of the glass. You drank it down and told the barman: no daylights! fill it right to the top.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist
Instagram Twitter Pinterest

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.