tipple

Etymology

Unknown but possibly from a Scandinavian source (see Norwegian tipla), or from tip + -le.

noun

1. An area near the entrance of mines which is used to load and unload coal.
2. (rail transport) An apparatus for unloading railroad freight cars by tipping them; the place where this is done.
   Alternative form: tippler
3. (slang) Any alcoholic drink.
   What's your tipple? 2001, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, “New Girl”, in The Office, season 1, episode 5 (television production), spoken by David Brent (Ricky Gervais)
   I know nothing about vino nero, and have always vaguely thought it a tipple from Sicily. I have never associated it with Venice. 2015-04-22, Sam Jordison, quoting Jan Morris, “Jan Morris talks about Venice”, in The Guardian
   But not a drop to drink … Love Islanders are limited to two tipples a day. 2022-07-18, Amelia Tait, “‘Alcohol is a hand grenade’: how reality TV went from boozy Big Brother to nosecco Love Island”, in The Guardian

verb

1. To sell alcoholic liquor by retail.
2. (transitive, intransitive) To drink too much alcohol.
3. (intransitive) To drink alcohol regularly or habitually, but not to excess.
4. (transitive) To put up (hay, etc.) in bundles in order to dry it.
5. (intransitive) To fall over; to topple.
   The men had only moved the trailer about a yard when suddenly it tippled over on its side, and bales of cotton fell on Howarth. 1928, The World's Carriers and Carrying Trades' Review, page 476
   After taking a few moments to recover he turned and meandered towards the closest Supergun, ramming it from the side and watching as it tippled over. 2017, Christopher Lee, Margaret the Abomination