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 1810–1897. 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 (1689–1761), 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.
