Originally, they would call is a cup of Joseph Daniels, and it was later shortened to a cup of Joe. Some think that the phrase comes from our usage of joe to refer to the common person. This word was a combination of Java and Mocha and became another slang term for coffee. From there it became ingrained in our American vocabulary. Its then said that when they reached port, the navy men spread the phrase around until it became common language. Coffee became so popular in the United States that it was even used as a way to prepare for battle. During this time, it has been called by many different names as it has spread around the world. Yemen still exports coffee branded as authentic Arabian Mocha. However, the term mocha became popular in Europe via trade routes to Egypt, Malta, Syria, and Turkey. Whatever the true origin, the coffee called Joe is here to stay. But all the brain juice in the world cant solve this mystery: why is coffee called a cup of Joe? According to historians, coffee berries were ground and then mixed with animal fat to create energy-rich snack balls. At the same time coffee was being produced in Indonesia, it was also being produced and traded in Yemen. Congress abolished the spirit ration in 1862. President Woodrow Wilson was the first to change this perception when he served coffee at his inauguration in 1913. You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. The most likely explanation is that coffee became known as Joe because it was seen as a drink for the average man. Over time, weve come to know coffee by a bunch of different terms. Lets start with the word coffee itself. coffee in your life, drinking coffee for the first time. Dirt. ). For instance, coffee at this establishment was frequently cups of joe or Joes Coffee and was known by this by all the locals. Joe could have come from the combination of two different names of coffee at the time. She runs Dragonfly Editorial, an agency that provides copywriting, editing, and design for scientific, medical, technical, and corporate materials. The most prevalent story behind why coffee is referred to as joe comes from World War I. Joe is short for Joseph, or in this case, Josephus Daniels, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy. The slang term java refers to the Indonesian island of Java. Happy brewing! So next time you drink a cup of coffee, think about all the history and culture. (6) Thats because coffee beans were first brought from North Africa and the Middle East into Italy in 1615, and then into France in 1644. Times change, though. The other theory is tied to the US navy, when they banned alcohol for shops, causing an interest in coffee for Navy's due to lack of anything else to drink. While it might not be as popular a brand today as it once was, Martinson is a real . From there it evolved into "cup of Joe.". Sometimes you. With so many . People ask me if I wake up grumpy in the morning. How Is Caffeine In Coffee Affected By Sugar And Cream? Just like Java, Mocha was a name for beans from this region that became largely synonymous with coffee itself. Weve called bad or poorly made coffee battery acid, belly wash, and sludge. (4) And a certain brands coffee is sometimes called charbucks by those who dont appreciate really dark-roasted coffee. Java, pick-me-up, and of course, a cup of Joe. One of the most popular theories for why coffee is referred to as Joe is that back in 1913, Secretary of the US Navy Josephus Daniels imposed a ban on all alcohol aboard his fleet of ships. Or, might there not be one joe explaining why it is called a cup of joe? The most direct answer to the question "Why is coffee called a cup of Joe" comes down to some creative marketing and an old trademark. One of the theories is that one of the most famous music composers, Stephen . It is not only an American drink but a global one. Regularly drinking coffee can decrease the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkison's disease by up to 65%. In other words, its interesting to know that an island in Southeast Asia would become the nickname for good coffee and a programming language! The average person drinks coffee, so why not call it by an average mans name? We first heard it in an old (the 1940s) movie, used by blue-collar type characters. Jamoke A nickname make from the combination of Java and Mocha. A cup of coffee was seen as the average man's drink. Coffee is also called Java because of the Indonesian island of Java, which is one of the most famous places where coffee is grown. Its an amazing drink that has been enjoyed by generations past and generations to come. Why is coffee called joe? The expression has been used in the American Northeast and Industrial Midwest primarily, especially among the veterans. Back then, the word coffee appeared in a lot of different forms: chaona, cahve, kauhi, cahu, coffa, and caffa. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. There are a few reasons for this. Soldiers in World War I. No matter where it came from, if you order a cup of Joe at your favorite coffee shop then the barista undoubtedly knows what you want! Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels banned alcohol from his ship, During the 1930s, mocha and java were also becoming popular coffee terms, the Martinson coffee company actually trademarked the term cup of Joe.. This was over a decade after Josephus Daniels decided to ban alcohol. Theres no question that coffee is one of the most versatile drinks. Since the terms "java" and "mocha" became widely used themselves, it is easy to see how these terms could have been shortened and combined into "Joe." And while nothing comes close to kicking off the day like a hot cup of joe, these hilarious coffee jokes, puns, and one-liners come preeeettyyy close.. On groggy days, coffee is a loyal friend and lifesaver. Why does Coffee get called Joe in the United States? The first theory is the one most popularly associated with the origin of this phrase. Last but not least, "joe" could come from "average . Each country has its own name for coffee. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Learn about brewing coffee, coffee beans, coffee machines, and more. Joe is typically used as slang for an ordinary chap, so this theory isn't much of a stretch. There are many theories behind the origin of the nickname that span different times in history. Why is coffee called a cup of Joe? If youre an English language buff, this joe origin theory will pique your interest. Sam is the vice president of ACES, The Society for Editing, and is the managing editor of Tracking Changes, ACES' quarterly journal. The first known printed reference to a cup of coffee as a cup of joe appears in a book from 1936. Despite this prohibition, a group of Dutch merchants remained undeterred. The common mans drink. Raise your mug and take a sip because today were looking at some of the weird words we use to talk about coffee. The local monks found that the berries enabled them to stay alert for long hours of prayer, and coffee eventually spread to the Arabian Peninsula and Europe, and through colonization to Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas, where it was grown by enslaved peoples. Some of these names make sense, like cappuccino (named after the Capuchin monks who originally created the drink) or espresso (named after the speed with which it is made). Table Of Contents Lets do our best to find out Why is Coffee Called Joe? and learn more about the history behind coffees name. This is because the phrase cup of Joe wasnt documented until 1930, long after the prohibition of alcohol consumption in the Navy. The Complete Guide to Coffee Brewing Methods. Latte, cold brew, or drip: they all started on the ancient Ethiopian plateau, when a goat-herder noticed his goats eating a berry that made them so energetic, they couldnt sleep at night (if youve ever had coffee after 3 p.m., you can relate). The expression has been used in the American Northeast and Industrial Midwest primarily, especially among the veterans. This joke functions similarly to "ligma" and "bofa.". The true origin of the name, though, has been lost to history. Since that time, the name has expanded from a neighborhood nickname to a . the consumption of alcohol in the Navy, so soldiers started drinking more coffee and began referring to it as a cup of Joseph Daniels, or a cup of joe in a veiled slight towards Daniels. Even within the English language, there is a wide range of slang and colloquial terms for coffee, a real tribute to the popularity of the beverage. You can trace that word further back to the Arabicqahwahwhich actually refers to a type of wine. For coffee lovers, by coffee lovers. Have you ever wondered why coffee is called Joe? This is a good theory and could be the explanation of why coffee is often called Joe. This was made using partially digested coffee cherries in the same little island, and sold for extortionate prices because of the unique flavor profile. Accessed September 23, 2019. Common mans drink or not, everyone knows that you want a cup of good coffee when you order a cup of Joe! U.S. ships werent exactly Ibiza on water; there was only a small amount of alcohol before the ban, so its unlikely that the law made much of a difference. Derived from the words Java and . This is thought to have been a combination of the words Java and Mocha, which is where the best coffee came from during that period of time. Even if his name was Kaldi, not Joe. However, a few facts make this theory unlikely. Why Is Coffee Called Joe? (2). It is known to most Americans, especially the coffee drinkers. I've been drinking coffee my entire life, from a little boy stealing coffee off the counter to an adult (who still steals his wife's coffee occasionally). By combining these two words together you get the word Joe. Required fields are marked *. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This is why its sometimes referred to as rocket launch/fuel. During the War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Britain, American soldiers often drank coffee because it was seen as a more patriotic drink. We've found several theories explaining why coffee is called joe. Joe, jamoke. Therefore, cup of Joe could be a euphemism for a common mans drink. It debuted in 1995 with a cup of coffee as the icon. No matter which origin story for your morning coffee perks you up, it points to the fact coffee is strongly intertwined in our culture. Many men were in the military and the nickname G.I. Please read my disclosure for more info. While many legends are surrounding the coffee plants origin, what is certain is that it was first discovered in the Ethiopian plateau. Joe was commonplace. Coffee is the ordinary persons drink, and a fair few people think that this is why coffee is called joe. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (7), Another theory is that this name for coffee is based on an African-American spiritual written by Stephen Foster, called Old Black Joe. There is a comic strip from 1911 that describes this phrase as meaning coffee without milk. Even though weve since learned that caffeine doesnt give energy so much as suppress fatigue, the names and reputation of the brew still stand. This is because soldiers would often call each other by their last names, and there were a lot of Joes in the military. The Martinson coffee company was founded by Joe Martinson in 1898 and has been producing premium coffee ever since. Diner culture may also have had something to do with it, as more and more diners opened up in the 1950s and 1960s. In some parts of the world, coffee is also referred to as mud. The iconic nickname, a cup of Joe, has several origin stories. Heres the theory that convinces most expert linguists are you ready? Jitter juice. Mariani, John. Secondly, it can be prepared in a dozen different ways. It was never going to be simple, was it? It's believed that it can be traced back to the term "jamoke," which is a blend of words used to describe coffee in the 1800s. The first known printed reference to a cup of coffee as a cup of joe appears in a book from 1936. Just remember that good authentic java comes from the island of Java and is an arabica coffee. Our beloved brew is our cuppa and java, our daily grind, rocket fuel, and jitter juice. Incidentally, thats where the word G.I Joe comes from. Of the many things he banned, one was the consumption of alcohol.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'coffeebrewster_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coffeebrewster_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'coffeebrewster_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',105,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-coffeebrewster_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-105{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. However, the company no longer exists, and the Nestle Corporation now owns the trademark. Coffee Jokes. Interestingly, the word coffee first appeared in English in 1598 in the form of the word caffa. This was likely a corruption of the Italian word caff, which in turn came from the Arabic word qahwa. Coffee Brewster is completely reader supported. Accessed September 23, 2019. Why Do We Call Coffee a Cup of Joe. For more information, see our privacy policy. 2. This was because, at the time, coffee was seen as a drink for ladies, and there was a popular belief that men should only drink alcohol. There is an ever-growing list of different types of coffee, each with a unique name and origin story. Tea became un-American for a time. The first theory is that coffee was given the nickname Joe in the early 20th century as a way to make it more masculine. The second theory as to why coffee is called joe ties back to a slang term that was actually popular in the 30s and one that's still used today: jamoke and java. While coffee was once seen as a lower-class drink, it is now consumed by people of all social classes. Accessed September 23, 2019. The first time it was written down in English was in a medical textbook called The Physical Dictionary by Nicholas Culpeper. Coffee is called Joe because it was originally called Java. After hearing all the theories, some seem more likely than others. They all started calling their daily coffee cups of Joe to make fun of their superiors decision. Deriving from this is phrases like ''Lucky Joe'', or ''Average Joe.'' Weirdly, it can also refer to a steaming hot cup of coffee. Like happiness, coffee comes to us from many places, and in many forms. The word "joe" may have developed as a natural progression of language. A reasonable amount of coffee can increase your energy and make you feel less fatigued. There are four common theories. However, the unexpected consequence of . The Average Joe. Quinion cites an example in the 1931 Reserve Officer's Manual, where a man named Erdman writes, "Jamoke, Java, Joe. Heat Changing Sensitive Funny Mug - Cool Coffee & Tea Unique Magic Color Changing Cup 12 oz Battery Charging Design Drinkware Ceramic Mugs Cute Birthday Christmas Gift Idea for Mom Dad Women & Men, Oil Drum Gas Pump Handle 14oz Ceramic Coffee & Tea Mug - Fairly Odd Novelties, Silver Buffalo FRIENDS Central Perk Black Ceramic Mug Oversized for Coffee, Soup, 24 Ounces, Caffeine Beaker Mug, Caffeine Molecule Mug - Chemistry Mug 16 oz Borosilicate Glass Coffee Mugs with Handle and Measuring for Coffee, Latte, Tea or Hot and Cold Beverage, - Tea Coffee Mug by Amugo, Keurig K-Classic vs K-Select: Which Is Better? 2023 Breakdown, How Much Caffeine Is in Loud Energy Drink? The name Coffeehas been used since about 1582 when the word entered the English language from the Dutch wordkoffie. What did the coffee lover name her son? I just bring him some coffee. But no matter where it came from, the phrase has been persistently used for decades and likely will be for decades to come. This term is mainly used to refer to Israeli/Turkish coffee. Another name that is used instead of joes coffee for this popular drink is Java. The claim is that, because of United States Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and his actions during his reign, coffee is got its reference as a "cup of Joe" or "Joe". No one is sure that this is truly where the cup of joe nickname comes from. Coffee, the peoples drink. One of the major forces of pop culture is marketing, and that was just as true in the 1800s as it is today. The Dutch had the word Koffie, which is the Turkish version of an Arabic for coffee. According to local legend, a French-speaking Creole server at Martin's Coffee House referred to their freshly brewed brew as "Caf au Joseph" translated as "coffee from Joseph" after one of his regulars. Oxford English Dictionary, digital edition. Java is the name of an island in Indonesia and also a type of arabica coffee grown there (theyre nice, full-bodied beans). 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