Fiske, you make a good point and remind me of something else: My mother HATES it when people talk about having "a tea" or "a sherry" - she thinks the form should be "a cup of tea" or just "tea" (as in, "I'm having tea - would you like some?") and "a glass of sherry" or simply "sherry." And yet, I don't remember her ever objecting to someone saying they were having "a whiskey." Is there any illumination to be had on these distinctions?

Let us go in peace to love and serve the board.