subs. phr. (common).—Liquid refreshment taken between meals.
1766. KENRICK, Falstaff’s Wedding, i., 1. I could wish, nevertheless, old white wine stood higher in his lordship’s favour; that I may not be stinted at table, or in my BY-DRINKINGS.
1883. Daily Telegraph, Jan. 10, 5. 3. Our business men—and many others who are not men of business—take, as it is, a great many more ‘BYE-DRINKS’ in the way of ‘sherry’ and ‘whiskey cold’ than is good for them.
