E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Jeroboam of Rum or Claret (A).
Eight bottles; but of whisky three pints. Probably a perversion of “joram.” (See TAPPIT-HEN and REHOBOAM.)
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“Some ‘jeroboams’ of very old rum went at \??\ each; several ‘tappit-hens, of rum fetched \??\ and some ‘magnums,’ 17s. each.”—Truth, 31st March, 1887.
A magnum = 2 quart bottles; a tappithen = 2 magnums; a jeroboam = 2 tappit-hens; and a rehoboam = 2 jeroboams or 16 quart bottles.
