E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bad’minton
is properly a “copus cup,” made of claret spiced and sweetened, a favourite with the Duke of Beaufort of Badminton. As the duke used to be a great patron of the prize ring, Badminton was used as equivalent to claret as the synonym of blood.
1
Also a game similar to lawn tennis, only played with shuttlecocks instead of balls.
