What does kegging mean?
Kegging means going out for social drinking, usually in a pub and usually with beer. The expression is chiefly associated with British usage and has a friendly, informal tone: it can describe an enjoyable group outing without necessarily implying that anyone has drunk too much. In its more specific sense, kegging may mean drinking beer served directly from a keg rather than from individual bottles or glasses. The word is also commonly used as a gerund in phrases such as "go kegging" and "pub kegging." It is useful because it captures the social and communal character of drinking in pubs, a familiar feature of British social life, while remaining flexible about the setting and the amount consumed. Although the name suggests a keg, modern kegging need not involve beer from one.
nounKegging is the practice of drinking beer, especially in pubs, as a social activity. It can also refer to drinking beer directly from a keg.
- The activity of drinking beer, especially in a pub, as a social pastime.
- The activity of drinking beer directly from a keg.
"They spent Saturday evening kegging with friends at their favourite pub."
"Kegging with friends was the highlight of their weekend."
"The festival featured live music, food stalls, and kegging until closing time."
Kegging is British shorthand for a pub night out, although the word does not require the beer to come from a keg.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kegging come from?
Kegging was formed in English from keg by adding the suffix -ing. The base word entered Middle English from Old Norse kage, with related forms found across Germanic languages; the later English sense of the compound developed in the culture of pubs and communal beer drinking.
How kegging is actually used
Informal and chiefly British. It describes sociable drinking and does not necessarily imply excessive drinking, although it can sometimes carry that implication in casual conversation.