corkage
(kɔːkɪdʒ)
[f. cork n.1 or v.1 + -age.]
The corking or uncorking of bottles: hence (= corkage-money) a charge made by hotel-keepers, waiters, etc. for every bottle of wine or other liquor uncorked and served, orig. when not supplied by themselves.
| 1838 Sir F. Pollock Remembrances (1887) I. 119 Corkage money on the number of bottles opened was paid to the tavern. 1884 C. Rogers Soc. Life Scotland II. xiii. 312 The members used their own wine, allowing a ‘corkage’ to the innkeeper. 1887 Pall Mall G. 14 July 3/2 Even the waiters, in certain restaurants, levy a tax [on shippers of champagne] in the shape of ‘corkage,’ without which they may boycott a brand. |