# In the UK, I know what an "off-license" is, but what is the origin of this name? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 14, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747 "2010-09-14T18:07:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/21 "2010-09-15T01:27:07Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > > [@Candyman74](#): > > > > The shops don’t refer to themselves as an “off license” (at least, not officially). > > I’m sure some shops used to, Threshers is the chain that comes to mind. I’ve not seen one for a few years now though, most booze is sold in supermarkets now. I think Threshers, with the rest of the FirstQuench group, went bust a couple of years ago, slightly to my annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/22 "2010-09-15T02:20:21Z")
> [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > Some pubs used to have a “jug and bottle” door. Inside was a small counter where you could take the aforementioned containers to be filled up with beer. These you could then take away to drink at home. That was also a form of off-licence. All premises with an on-licence can also sell for consumption off the premises; you could always buy, e.g., an unopened bottle of wine over the bar, and take it home (though it was an expensive way to buy wine). Strictly speaking, the disctinction was between an off-license, and an on-and-off-license, but nobody ever used the latter phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/23 "2010-09-15T08:02:13Z")
> [@Celyn](#): > > > [@Steophan](#): > > > > I’m sure some shops used to, Threshers is the chain that comes to mind. I’ve not seen one for a few years now though, most booze is sold in supermarkets now. > > I think Threshers, with the rest of the FirstQuench group, went bust a couple of years ago, slightly to my annoyance. Earlier this year, I think, wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/24 "2010-09-15T08:40:15Z")
Oh well, I can’t count even with no nearby offy to mess up my head. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/25 "2010-09-15T09:57:22Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > > [@Celyn](#): > > > > I think Threshers, with the rest of the FirstQuench group, went bust a couple of years ago, slightly to my annoyance. > > Earlier this year, I think, wasn’t it? Just before last Christmas. The one on the corner near me was going down hill, then closing down with an everything must go sale before metamorphosing into a Rhythm and Booze. ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/26 "2010-09-15T10:45:15Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > > [@bardos](#): > > > > A long time ago I learnt that the only legal shop to buy alcohol in the UK was at a special shop, called an “off-license”. Is this still the only way? I beleive it is similar to “Liquor Strores” in the USA. > > > > I live in Spain, where most alcoholic beverages are sold at plain supermarkets. > > I don’t know the origin of the name sorry, but no, all UK supermarkets, many mini-marts, newsagents, petrol stations etc are now licensed to sell alcohol. Even department stores have some kind of exemption to sell alcohol as in the run up to Christmas, gift sets including bottles of liqueurs (e.g. Tia Maria, Bailleys) appear on the shelves! > > Licensing laws vary between countries within the UK (e.g. in Scotland you can’t buy booze before 12.30pm on Sundays) but in general, it’s easy to get hold of. Very minor points considering the original question, but I’m going to be a little pedantic: Department stores don’t have some kind of exemption - they have to have a license. You’ll see a small sign somewhere giving the detail of the licensee, the age restrictions and purchasing hours restrictions of buying that gift set with the Baileys, or the mini Jack Daniels with matching glass. The restricted hours in Scotland changed last September. You now can’t purchase alcohol before 10am on any day of the week (it used to be 8am Monday to Saturday, and 12.30pm on Sunday). At the other end of the day, the restriction of 10pm for off sales now applies to pubs as well as off-licenses, which leads to many a disappointed person trying to buy an after-hours bottle to take away. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/27 "2010-09-15T14:19:24Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > > [@Candyman74](#): > > > > It’s a colloquial term referring to the license held by the establishment (licensed to sell alcohol for consuption off the premises). The shops don’t refer to themselves as an “off license” (at least, not officially). > > Plenty of shops have the words “Off Licence” written on the front of them. > Examples: [http://www.brockmoor.dudley.gov.uk/projects/brockmoor/stars.jpg](http://www.brockmoor.dudley.gov.uk/projects/brockmoor/stars.jpg) > [http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/images/brixton-feb08-04.jpg](http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/images/brixton-feb08-04.jpg) > [http://odonovanshotel.com/images/090728\_tom\_craig\_pearse\_1280.png](http://odonovanshotel.com/images/090728_tom_craig_pearse_1280.png) That’s not what I meant. They certainly have signs saying “off-license” and sometimes include it in their name. I meant that technically they aren’t “an off-license”; they _have_ that license. Their business documents won’t refer to them as “an off-license”. I was just trying to reinforce my point that it was a colloquial phrase, not that they never used the words for advertising purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/28 "2010-09-15T14:44:49Z")
I think what people are trying to say is that “off-license” does not mean “sales which are ‘off’ [i.e., not according to the terms of] a license” but rather a “license for off [”-premises sales" is understood]". One thing that may not be obvious to Brits is that in North America, the regulation of alcoholic beverage sales is a state or provincial concern. In some states, the purchase of anything containing alcohol other than mouthwash, tinctures, and other such specialty items is restricted to state ABC [Bureau of Alcoholic Beverage Control] stores. In others, private liquor stores are licensed. Beer and/or wine may be sold in supermarkets or groceries or restricted to the liquor stores. (In New York one can buy beer in supermarkets and convenience stores, but must buy wines, like distilled beverages, at liquor stores; in North Carolina, the wines are on aisle 11, across from the pickles, and distilled stuff is available only from ABC stores.) There are also a few “dry” towns and counties scattered around, where no alcoholic beverages can be sold (though nothing prohibits buying them in the next county and bringing them home to the dry county). It’s a real crazy quilt of regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/29 "2010-09-15T15:01:45Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > in North Carolina, the wines are on aisle 11, across from the pickles, and distilled stuff is available only from ABC stores.) Supermarket aisles are standardized in North Carolina? ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/30 "2010-09-15T17:33:02Z")
In short, an off-licence is a dedicated beer, spirits and wine shop which sells nothing else (setting aside crisps [chips] sweets [candy] and peanuts etc. which may be classed as party supplies) while there are now many other outlets selling alcohol to take out. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/31 "2010-09-15T19:11:01Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > …There are also a few “dry” towns and counties scattered around, where no alcoholic beverages can be sold (though nothing prohibits buying them in the next county and bringing them home to the dry county). It’s a real crazy quilt of regulations. Actually there are dry towns in Alaska where it’s completely illegal to drink or bring alcohol in that’s was legally purchased in wet towns. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/32 "2010-09-15T20:07:23Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > There are also a few “dry” towns and counties scattered around, where no alcoholic beverages can be sold (though nothing prohibits buying them in the next county and bringing them home to the dry county). It’s a real crazy quilt of regulations. To say the least. According to [this Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_county), there were over 500 dry municipalities in the U.S. as of 2004. It notes that three states (Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee) are “dry by default”; in those states, you can only purchase alcohol if the local municipality has explicitly allowed it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/33 "2010-09-15T21:20:57Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Or you call it an “offie”. And if you consume too much you end up in the “ozzie” ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/34 "2010-09-15T22:24:20Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Polycarp](#): > > > > There are also a few “dry” towns and counties scattered around, where no alcoholic beverages can be sold (though nothing prohibits buying them in the next county and bringing them home to the dry county). It’s a real crazy quilt of regulations. > > To say the least. According to [this Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_county), there were over 500 dry municipalities in the U.S. as of 2004. It notes that three states (Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee) are “dry by default”; in those states, you can only purchase alcohol if the local municipality has explicitly allowed it. Moore County, Tennessee is one of these dry counties. It also has one of the US’s largest distilleries, Jack Daniel’s. I have not done their tour, so I don’t know if they’re allowed to do tastings. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747/35 "2010-09-16T00:37:11Z")
Speaking of off licenses, we have one very unusual bar in Los Angeles called the [Golden Gopher](http://www.goldengopherbar.com/). What’s unusual about it is that you can drink there as you would normally do at a bar, but they also sell all kinds of alcohol for off-premises consumption. It turns out that this is stipulated in their license which dates to 1905–which further shows that, with the advent of Prohibition, existing licenses merely went dormant instead of being utterly extinguished. I haven’t been there, but it’s on my list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-i-know-what-an-off-license-is-but-what-is-the-origin-of-this-name/553747.md?page=1)