History of Victorian England

 

In late Victorian London, poverty was so widespread that even sleep came at a cost. One of the cheapest forms of shelter for the homeless was the "four-penny coffin," a wooden box where a person could lie down for the night, often covered with nothing more than a tarpaulin. For those who couldn't afford even that, a two-penny alternative existed: a bench and a rope stretched across the chest to keep a person upright as they slept. This grim arrangement came to be known as the "two-penny hangover"—a haunting image of hardship and endurance in a time when survival itself was a nightly struggle.

Despite popular belief, the term "hangover" did not originate from this rope-sleeping practice. While it makes for a compelling tale, linguistic research shows that the word originally referred to the lingering effects of something left unfinished-such as unresolved business from a meeting. It wasn't until the early 20th century, around 1904, that "hangover" began appearing in reference to the aftereffects of alcohol consumption. The imagery of people quite literally hanging over ropes may have contributed to the myth, but etymology tells a different story.

These bleak sleeping arrangements are a stark reminder of the social inequalities that defined Victorian England. While the image of men slumped over ropes may not have influenced the language as much as once believed, it still reflects a historical truth: that for many, even rest was a luxury they could barely afford. The resilience of those who lived through such conditions remains a powerful testament to human endurance amid extreme adversity

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