Why Is Coffee Called Joe? — Inside the TheoriesHome > FYISource: Getty Why Do People Call Coffee Joe You Can Thank This Naval SecretaryBy Mustafa GatollariMar. 24 2022, Published 11:51 a.m. ET People come up with silly names for things that seemingly make no sense whatsoever. Take the word "cap" for instance. It became a slang term that just means "lie," as dumb as that sounds. It's got the same number of letters and syllables, and when you look into how it got started, it turns out it was all because some folks misunderstood a popular song lyric. But slang terms come and go all of the time. Then, there are those that stand the test of time — like how people call coffee "joe." So, how did the caffeinated beverage get its nickname?Article continues below advertisement Why is coffee called joe The year is 1913. A total buzzkill by the name of Josephus Daniels was the secretary of the Navy. This nerd thought it'd be a good idea to banish alcohol from naval vessels, probably because he didn't like a bunch of members of the United States military getting hammered on the open seas. In theory, it makes a lot of sense: You don't want a bunch of sexually repressed trained fighters who are locked aboard on a boat for extended periods of time to get drunk. It's not difficult to imagine that this could lead to some rowdy behavior and potentially gnarly fights that would culminate in folks getting thrown in the brig, if not overboard and killed.Article continues below advertisementSource: Getty As a result of Josephus's decision to ban booze aboard military ships, more and more sailors began drinking coffee. Some folks were said to have attributed the increased consumption of the beverage to the naval secretary. A lot of coffee drinkers were probably born solely out of the fact they couldn't get their hands on beer or liquor as they sailed the seven seas.Article continues below advertisement Have you ever wondered why morning coffee is called “cuppa Joe” or why gossip is synonymous with the term “scuttlebutt?” Now you can learn the origins of Navy language courtesy of our "Speak Like a Sailor" page here: https://t.co/yGXvGpIoks pic.twitter.com/iasD6NWOsF— U.S. Naval History (@USNHistory) October 16, 2018 Source: Twitter @USNHistory The Roasterie writes: "As the story goes, on June 1, 1914, Secretary Joe issued General Order 99. Order 99 prohibited alcohol aboard naval vessels. From then on, the strongest drink of any kind allowed on naval ships has been coffee."Article continues below advertisement Why the heck is coffee called “joe” ?— ThaiThai (@mrtysonandrews) November 15, 2021 Source: Twitter @mrtysonandrews The outlet goes on to suggest that the moniker wasn't exactly a term of endearment, but one given to coffee out of "spite." Prior to the issuance of Order 99, sailors were given a daily allotment of rum, but even that was taken away under Order 99. Article continues below advertisement I know this random but who called coffee joe .!? Why is it a cup of joe ? Iono if I feel that saying lol— BABY CHILLY FREEMAN (@ChillySoSa) April 10, 2020 There are other theories as to why coffee is called joe If you're compiling a list of "everyman" names, Joe is probably your first or second choice. It's been said that because coffee is considered the drink of the everyman, it only makes sense that people would refer to the hot bean juice by the first name. But we're not exactly convinced. After all, it's not like folk affectionately call caviar "Edmont," "Duke Coxlebury" or any other name that's as bourgeois as the expensive salt-cured roe.Article continues below advertisement Why is coffee called Joe? Is it because joe mama makes it for me in the morning?— Jeff the Giant (@SoxofWhite) February 28, 2020 Source: Twitter @SoxofWhite Others believe that "joe" is simply an abbreviated version of other names for coffee: java and jamoke. We like the Josephus theory best.AdvertisementMore from Distractify TikTok Users Are Leaving a Recipe for Brownies in Comments on Videos, but Why? Model Blasts Delta Airlines for "Short" Seatbelts, Sparks Debate in Viral TikTok Woman Sparks Debate for Calling Police for Teenage Son's Behavior in Viral TikTok Latest FYI News and UpdatesAdvertisementABOUT DistractifyAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseDMCASitemapCONNECT with DistractifyLink to Facebook Link to TwitterLink to InstagramContact us by Email Copyright 2022 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.