square-face, noun

Origin:
See quotation 1880.
obs. except in historical contexts
Especially among the diamond prospectors of the 19th century: an imported Dutch gin. Also attributive.
1879 Forbes in Daily News 13 June 5That potent fluid that goes by the endearing name of ‘Squareface’, and that in reality is the rankest of schiedam.
1880 E.F. Sandeman Eight Months in Ox-Waggon 97The only gin in use is the Schiedam, sold in square green glass bottles, and generally known as square-face or square-rigger.
1882 C. Du Val With Show through Sn Afr. II. 177Messiers the Canteen keepers..were nimbly pocketing the shillings of their defenders in exchange for ‘Cape Smoke’, ‘Natal Rum’, and ‘square-face’.
1887 A.A. Anderson 25 Yrs in Waggon II. 207Each member had to undergo fresh baptism in the way of a souse in a large bath..and pay his footing in the way of a certain quantity of brandy or square face (gin).
1897 J.P. Fitzpatrick Outspan 109They passed the door showing the rough gin-case counter, backed by shelves laded with ‘square face’.
1911 L. Cohen Reminisc. of Kimberley 391Perceiving some ‘square face’ (gin) on his table, I, much against the medico’s learned advice, drank the lot — and recovered.
1924 L. Cohen Reminisc. of Jhb. 28Of course, there was floating about any amount of cape smoke, square face, dop brandy.
1937 H. Klein Stage Coach Dust 32No miner was considered a pukka old-timer until he had a wall of empty ‘square-face’ gin bottles around his tent.
1955 T.V. Bulpin Storm over Tvl 63There was a good deal of arguing, a certain amount of indulgence in ‘creature comforts’ — you have all heard of square face gin — and a good deal more arguing.
c1963 B.C. Tait Durban Story 58A popular drink was Dutch gin, at first known as ‘Geneva’ or ‘Hollands’, but later as ‘Square face’, no doubt from the square flasks in which it arrived from Holland packed in red and green cases.
1971 H. Zeederberg Veld Express 166He alleged that the driver..had fallen asleep..and that his African assistant had taken advantage of the fact by producing a bottle of ‘Squareface’, and taking copious draughts from it.
an imported Dutch gin. Also attributive.
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18791971

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