DCHP-1 Online

regale ((n.)) [< Cdn F régale MF "pleasure, festive occasion"] Fur Trade, Hist.

• 1 n. a ration of rum, brandy, etc. issued to company employees embarking on, during, or following an arduous journey by canoe, York boat, etc.

  • This practice seems to have been established by the North West Company, being taken over by the Hudson's Bay Company following the amalgamation of 1821 and varying somewhat in character as time passed.

  • 1797  (1964)  Gave the People their Regals, & Mr. McGillivray set off.
  • 1800  (1897)  All were merry over their favorite regale, which is always given on their departure, and generally enjoyed at this spot, where we have . . . plenty of elbow-room for the men's antics.
  • 1832  At Christmas and New Year they are served out with flour to make cakes or puddings, and each man receives half pint of rum. This they call a regale, and they are particularly grateful for it.
  • 1859  In the Hudson's Bay Company's service no rations of liquor are given to the men, either while they are stopping in fort or while travelling, nor are they allowed to purchase any; but when they are about commencing a long journey, the men are given what is called a regale, which consists of a pint of rum each. This, however, they are not allowed to drink until they are some distance from the post, where, those who are entitled to get drunk may do so without interfering with the resident servants of the establishment.
  • 1908  At the hardest places and the hardest pace, the bourgeois unbends and gives his men a régale, which means rum.
  • 1929  . . . the head guide came for the grand "regale," or feast, which consisted of a quart of rum for the steersman, a pint for the bowsman & half a pint for each of the others.
  • 1941  In York Boat days the regale of rum afforded an occasion for conviviality.
  • 1957  "Had one," John said, meaning regale, which was a cup of brandy or rum

• 2a n. a party or feast that followed the issuing of extra rations, usually including liquor, on a festive occasion, as at Christmas, New Year's, or on the arrival of special guests or important visitors.

  • 1820  (1938)  . . . none [rum] must be sold to the people unless it is a Pint to each after their Xmas regale.
  • 1844  (1955)  After this they have a "régale" of which I must not lower your idea by revealing what it consists in, but one item is always a glass of wine if there is any.
  • 1928  By way of appreciation custom decrees that he then provide the traditional "regale" and distribute gifts to the deserving.
  • 1947  (1957)  McMillan seized upon the advent of All Saint's Day, November 1, as an excuse for a regale.

• 2b n. See 1941 quote.

  • 1833  (1963)  The men have also received a "regale" of pork, potatoes, molasses & rum & are at present loudly chaunting their voyaging songs. . . .
  • 1941  Regale--Extra rations issued at Christmas and New Year, including in former years a noggin of rum.

• 3 n. a free issue of rum, brandy, etc. to Indians, especially on special occasions.

  See also: potlatch ((n.)) (def. 3)  rum (def. 2b)  

  • 1908  The régale pacified the discontent, and the Indians marched off without so much as the firing of a gun.
  • 1913  This impost was intended also as special punishment to the Company for ceasing to give them [Indians] the old and highly appreciated presents of rum as "regales" on state occasions.
  • 1952  Squaws could get in on the "regale" if they chose, but they frequently were too busy hiding the weapons in anticipation of the inevitable bloody brawl.
  • 1957  But this year there was no feasting at either post, though the chiefs received more than their usual regale of rum and tobacco.