barrelful etymology

Etymology:

• Barrel (late 13th century): Middle English "barel," from Old French "baril," diminutive of "barre" (11th century), in turn from Frankish barrila, from Late Latin barri (3rd century CE), ultimately from Vulgar Latin barus or barrum, a loanword from Gaulish barra or barrum, meaning "cask, barrel."
• Full (late 12th century): Middle English "ful," from Old English "full," cognate with Old Saxon "ful," Old Norse "fullr," German "voll," all from Proto-Germanic *fullaz.

Meaning and Origin:

A "barrelful" is a quantity equal to the capacity of a barrel, a large cylindrical container typically used to hold liquids or dry goods. The term "barrel" originally referred to a wooden container made of staves (narrow wooden strips) held together by hoops.

The concept of measuring quantities in terms of barrels has been used for centuries. In the Middle Ages, barrels were a common unit of measure for wine, ale, and other beverages. They were also used to transport and store dry goods such as grain, salt, and flour.

The size of a barrel can vary depending on the purpose for which it is used. Standard barrels used in the United States and the United Kingdom typically hold 55 gallons, while barrels used for wine in France typically hold 225 liters (about 59 gallons).

In modern usage, the term "barrelful" is often used metaphorically to refer to a large or excessive amount of something, not necessarily limited to the contents of a physical barrel. For example, one might speak of a "barrelful of laughter" or a "barrelful of trouble."

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