hair of the dog

この記事では二日酔いに関する都市伝説が本当なのかどうかに言及しています。

Hangover cures: Fact or fiction?

While no-one would recommend drinking to excess, chances are that we've all had times when we've had a little bit too much to drink. The symtoms of a hangover are easy to spot - tiredness, thirst, nausea and a pounding headache - and are unpleasant enough to make you desperate for a quick-fix cure. But does such a thing exist? We asked Dr Sarah Jarvis, a medical advisor to Drinkaware, to tell us what makes a hangover worse, what might make it better, and what has no effect at all.

Does mixing drinks make a hangover worse?

Possibly, but largely because you are more likely to underestimate your intake and therefore may drink more. All alcohol can cause hangovers, but dark drinks (such as port or dark spirits) tend to be the worst offenders because they contain congeners (chemicals which contribute to their taste and colour). Mixing drinks means you’re more likely to have drinks containing congeners.
Does taking a painkiller before bed help a hangover?

Probably not – most painkillers only work for a few hours, so their effect is likely to have worn off by the morning.
Does eating before bed absorb the alcohol and help a hangover?

No – by the time you get to bed, the alcohol will have left your stomach and been absorbed into your bloodstream, so it’s too late to have any effect on absorbing alcohol. Aim to eat before drinking (and drink in moderation) instead.

Does a morning drink (‘hair of the dog’) help a hangover?

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/hangover-cures

今回取り上げる表現は、“hair of the dog”です。『ウィズダム英和辞典』(第３版、三省堂)を引いたところ、“a [the] hair of the dog（that bit one）”で「(二日酔いを治すための)迎え酒」とありました。

LDOCEでは、“alcohol that you drink to cure a headache caused by drinking too much alcohol the night before – used humorously”と定義されています。最後に述べられているように、おどけて使う表現のようです。

この表現の由来は、「自分にかみついた犬の毛で狂犬病が治るとされたため」と『ウィズダム英和辞典』では述べられていました。(Blue Sky)