A shot glass is a small glass cup, usually containing 1 1/2 oz. (or one shot) of liquid. A double shot glass holds (surprise!) 3 oz.

Shot glasses are a popular device for measuring/drinking fairly precise* quantities of hard liquor, and are often sold in gift shops as collectibles, emblazoned with "witty" phrases, names of cities, and heavy metal bands.

Those people fortunate enough (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) to be in close proximity to an institute of higher education will probably have no trouble acquiring a wide variety of shot glasses, as many students tend to be great fans of Lady Licks.

* The exact precision of the amount varies inversely depending on the intoxication of the individual doing the pouring.

Update: Ouroboros is now officially Shot Glass Fan #1!

Strangely enough, the name of the glass preceded the name of the quantity within.

Two tablespoons, in American Colonial times, was the commonest amount for toasting. This was most often drunk from daintily mouthblown goblets, as befitted an expensive distilled (or fortified) drink. The problem was, it had become fashionable to slam the glasses on the table, to mimic gunshots. (It was that, or throwing them into the fireplace...) This meant a lot of expense for the tavernkeeper.

However, this didn't mean that they couldn't fight back. Some quick work with some expert glassblowers yielded a cheap molded glass, with a heavy, curved, bottom that made a gratifying thump when slammed. When filled to the brim, they made handy measuring cups as well.

Now you know.

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