You may have heard the expression “Gino in hockey,” or “gino power”, and wondered what it meant. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? How about “Ginobottle”? How do you feel about “ice time” being called “gino time”? Let’s find out the meaning of all these hockey terms that sound like they come from a foreign country.
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Gino (Jerry) In Hockey
It would be a missed opportunity if we don’t cover the great man by now, if you don’t know who Jerry Gino is. For those of you who don’t remember, Jerry was one of the original stars of the Golden Girls, and he still looks as cool as ever. In fact, he was even featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy last year. In hockey, Jerry is most well known for being the head coach of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres from 1987 to 1994. During that time, the team went from worst to first, and finished the season with the most wins in NHL history. He also coached the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, and led them to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1991. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. Unfortunately, Jerry had a lot of health problems over the last few years that slowed him down. He died in 2016 at the age of 81.
Gino (Jerry) Bottles
Bottles are a common sight at hockey arenas. Typically, they’re a clear or a blue liquid with a few ice cubes floating in it. For some reason, they were first referred to as bottles in the 1950s. Back then, they were filled with gin, which was often served in bars and clubs in that era. Today, bottles are used for a variety of liquids, including water, Gatorade, and even champagne (yes, the sparkling kind). They are also used in theme restaurants and bars to signify a drink with an unusual flavor.
Gino (Jerry) Time
“Gino time” or “ginotime” is a reference to the fact that the players and coaches from the Buffalo Sabres often stayed late after their games, drinking and socializing. They would drink beer, wine, and occasionally, cocktails made with gin. They called these mixed drinks “Gino’s Specials.” This term was first used by the media in the 1970s, and it stuck. While some fans and sportswriters complained about this habit, the drinking and socializing were generally seen as positive parts of the gino culture. One of the first books about hockey, published in the 1950s, described these practices as “having the courage to be a man.” Another name for “Gino time” is “Skating with the Big Men,” because the players and coaches would often get together with other team members for a post-game meal and a few drinks. It was an attempt by Jerry Gino to create a more social atmosphere in the locker room following games. The “Gino time” culture eventually evolved into a formal drinking program for teams and players, and eventually, the National Hockey League. The first draft of the official league alcohol policy was officially introduced in 1993.
Ginobottle
Ginobottle are small, square cans with a hinged lid designed to look like a miniature bottle. They were first manufactured in the 1960s, and the name “Ginobottle” was first used in print in 1973. Today, they are widely available in both supermarkets and liquor stores. The small size and the fact that they’re designed to look like a bottle make them easy to bring anywhere. If you’re a fan of the drink, you can now buy everything from mini Gins to grow your own gin plants at home. Just make sure you have the proper licenses and permits!
Ginometer
The word “ginometer” was first used in print in 1926, and it’s a device that was originally designed to measure the strength of gin. Later, it was adopted for use with other types of alcohol, including whiskey and champagne. In addition to being able to measure the alcohol content of different drinks, a ginometer can also indicate how efficiently a bar or restaurant is making use of its space. Large ginometers with a variety of measurements are also used in laboratories around the world to test the quality of various gin brands. Because of their accuracy and precision, ginometers are considered to be some of the most essential pieces of equipment for a bar or restaurant that specializes in serving alcohol.
Wine Enthusiasts
Wine enthusiasts were a huge part of the “gino” culture in the 1980s and 1990s. While other fans would go to a bar after a game, these fans would stay at the arena, drinking and talking about their favorite wine. They would often buy cases of expensive wine to drink during the season, and pour scorn on those who drank cheaper brands. Their disdain for low-quality alcohol was only outdone by their love for high-quality bottles of wine.
Gin Roadtrip
If you’ve ever driven down a certain country road in the southern US, you might have seen a lot of signs for “Gin”. It’s because a lot of bars and restaurants in that region serve drinks made with gin. This is probably the best known “Gin”-related roadtrip in American history. In the 1970s, a group of fans from Buffalo, New York traveled to various parts of the South, drinking their favorite drink and taking pictures of themselves with various Southern celebrities. The photos appeared in a book and were subsequently featured on T-shirts.
Even more notable than the Gin Roadtrip was a similar event that took place in Australia in the early 1980s. This time, the fans traveled to the other side of the country to knock off a few years of drinking, and the entire project turned into a documentary, entitled, appropriately enough, Gin Roadtrip. The book and the movie tell the story of the fans’ travels and the impact that the drinks they drank during their roadtrip had on their health. Some of the fans in the film became clean-cut, responsible adults, while others struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for years.
Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is a type of ale made with molasses, ginger, and other spices. It was first brewed in North America in the 1800s, but it wasn’t widely accepted by the public until the later half of the 1900s. Now, it’s one of the most popular soft drinks both in and out of the arena. If you’re a fan of spicy, molasses-based drinks, you can’t go wrong with ginger ale.
Martini Crazy
Some individuals will drink anything, while others will only drink beers or whiskeys. For those who do drink alcohol, especially if you’re a fan of dry gin, vodka, or a cocktail with a hint of gin in it, you’ll often find yourself in a neighborhood bar, ordering a martini. These bars are generally owned by big alcohol producers, and they know exactly what kind of drinks their customers will order, so they always have plenty of martinis ready to go. It’s an attempt by the bar to appeal to the more sophisticated customers who frequent them, while also keeping tabs on the crowd and adapting their drink offerings to fit what their customers want.
Martini is one of the most popular and recognizable alcoholic beverages, regardless of whether you’re a fan of the drink or not. It’s hard to avoid when you’re in a bar, especially if you live in a country that imports its alcohol. If you’re an aficionado of this classy drink, you’ll most likely end up in a martini bar at least once during your drinking career. Not all of these bars will serve the fancy drink, though. Some of them will only have beer or wine on tap, but you can still order a classic martini to go with your glass of bubbly.