E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Six-hooped Pot.
A two-quart pot. Quart pots were bound with three hoops, and when three men joined in drinking each man drank his hoop. Mine host of the Black Bear calls Tressalian “A six-hooped pot of a traveller,” meaning a first-class guest, because he paid freely, and made no complaints. (Kenilworth, chap. iii.)
