E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Honeymoon.
The month after marriage, or so much of it as is spent away from home; so called from the practice of the ancient Teutons of drinking honey-wine (hydromel) for thirty days after marriage. Attila, the Hun, indulged so freely in hydromel at his wedding-feast that he died.
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“It was the custom of the higher order of the Teutons … to drink mead or metheglin (a beverage made from honey) for thirty days after every wedding. From this comes the expression ‘to spend the honeymoon.’”—W. Pulleyn: Etymological Compendium, § 9, p. 142.
