Collins

/ˈkɑːlɪnz/ noun

Definition

A surname of Irish origin; also a type of mixed drink made with alcohol, citrus, and soda water.

Etymology

As a surname, from the Irish 'Ó Coileáin' or Scottish 'MacCollin,' meaning 'son of Colin' (Colin from Gaelic 'Coileán' meaning 'pup' or 'young creature'). The drink 'Collins' (as in 'Tom Collins') was named either after a bartender or from the surname tradition of mixing drinks, becoming popular in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

The 'Tom Collins' cocktail was supposedly invented by a bartender named John Collins in 1876 London, but his boss (Jerry Thomas) changed the name when he wrote it down—a famous case of how bartenders created new drinks and sometimes lost credit! Now there are dozens of named Collins variations.

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