Honeymoon. "The month after marriage, or so much of it as is spent away from home; so called from the practice of the ancient Teutons of drinking honey-wine (hydromel) for thirty days after marriage." (E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.)
It was the custom of the higher order of the Teutons
to drink mead or metheglin (a beverage made from honey) for thirty days after every wedding. From this comes the expression to spend the honeymoon. (W. Pulleyn: Etymological Compendium, § 9, p. 142.)
"Honeymoon lasts not nowadays above a fortnight."
(Samuel Richardson (16891761), British novelist. Third edition, London (1751). Antony Harlowe, in Clarissa, vol. 1, p. 222, AMS Press (1990).)
honeymoon (HOLIDAY) noun "a short holiday taken by a man and a woman immediately after their marriage." (Cambridge International Dictionary of English)
Note the diminishing progression over history. We are intent on re-establishing a much longer period within which to celebrate and enjoy the newness of our relationship!
Blessings all around.
