The next time you hear someone refer to a “buttload,” don’t be too quick to assume he or she is speaking about a huge-but-undefined amount. 

In medieval times, liquids were  measured in units of “butts.” A butt is an amount of liquid equivalent to two hogsheads. The precise measurement has varied a bit, but it is generally accepted that one butt of ale is 108 imperial gallons (130 US gallons/491 liters), and one butt of wine is 126 imperial gallons (151 US gallons/573 liters).

If you make fun of someone’s use of this term, you may find yourself being the butt of the joke.

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