The spelling of "hiram codd" is not a straightforward one, as it comes from an old-fashioned British method of bottling fizzy drinks. The name "Hiram Codd" refers to the inventor of this process in the 1870s. The IPA transcription for "hiram codd" is /haɪrəm kɒd/. It is important to note that the "h" in "Hiram" is not pronounced in British English, despite being spelled. The "codd" part is pronounced like "cod" with a slightly longer "o" sound.
Hiram Codd, also known as the Codd-neck bottle, refers to a style of glass bottle specifically designed to preserve carbonated beverages before the advent of crown caps and screw caps. Named after its inventor, Hiram Codd, this unique bottle type gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The hiram codd bottle features a peculiar neck design with a glass marble, which acts as a seal for the bottle's contents. The marble is positioned at the top of the neck, fitting into a rubber seal within the bottle's mouth. The pressure from the carbonated liquid pushes the marble against the seal, effectively preventing gas from escaping. To consume the beverage, consumers would push down on the marble using a special pin or rod, creating a small opening for the liquid to be poured out.
The hiram codd design was widely used for carbonated drinks like lemonade, soda water, and ginger beer. This unique sealing mechanism eliminated the need for cork stoppers, allowing for a more efficient and reliable method of packaging carbonated beverages.
Despite its historical significance and innovation, the hiram codd design gradually fell out of favor during the early 20th century due to the development of more modern and convenient bottle closures. However, these bottles remain a collector's item and offer a glimpse into the early advancements of bottle technology and carbonated drink preservation.
The term "hiram codd" does not have a specific etymology. This is because "hiram codd" is a combination of two separate words – "hiram" and "codd" – that came to be associated with a particular type of bottle.
The word "hiram" is derived from Hiram Codd, who was an English engineer. In the late 19th century, Codd invented a unique type of bottle closure known as the "Codd-neck bottle". This bottle had a marble or a glass ball as a stopper, which was held in place by the pressure of the carbonated liquid inside.
Over time, this style of bottle closure became widely used in the soft drinks industry, and other carbonated beverages. Consequently, the term "Codd-neck bottle" or simply "Codd" started being used to refer to this specific type of bottle.