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Where does 'On The House' come from?

pub.jpgQuestion

My Dad wants to know where the phrase “On The House” comes from.
Aaron, Catford – aged 10

Answer

** Definitive **
Name: James O’Brien
Qualification: It’s not that I spend a lot of time in Public Houses!
Answer: Here’s what you do Aaron. You ask your Dad, “What does Pub stand for?” and he’ll say “Public House, son”. And you’ll say “Well, that’s where it comes from Dad. It’s the owner of the Public House buying a drink for his customer on the house.” So you can make Dad look silly when he comes home!

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