whiskey plank
n.— «The whiskey plank, as it is called because sailors traditionally have a drink or ten after they finish planking a ship’s hull, was cut to fit by Teddy Huff, who has been working at the shipyard about five months.…When he put the final bolt in place, a cheer went up across the shipyard.» —“One last plank and a shot of whiskey make it real” by Brian Hicks Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina) July 22, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Lee in Charleston, South Carolina, remembers her dad used to refer to a blue patch of sky after a rain as kitten’s britches. Similar terms include Dutchman’s trousers, old woman’s apron, and cat’s vest, all suggesting that...
In film production, the last shot of the day is traditionally known as the “martini shot” for similar reasons.