julep
Preserved but no longer current.
One of a set of drinks peculiar to America. Generally prepared with mint, and called a MINT-JULEP. Originally JULEP was a pleasant liquid, in which nauseous medicines were taken. Its literal meaning is rosewater, and it is derived from the Arabic.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “julep” mean?
One of a set of drinks peculiar to America. Generally prepared with mint, and called a MINT-JULEP. Originally JULEP was a pleasant liquid, in which nauseous medicines were taken. Its literal meaning is rosewater, and it is derived from the Arabic.
Is “julep” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.