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What does "old man's milk" mean in this quote?

English Language & Usage Asked by Chen David on February 17, 2021

I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man’s milk and restorative cordial.
Thomas Jefferson

What does he mean by "old man’s milk"?

One Answer

Friendship improves with age. At first it may not be so good but gets better as age progresses. The reference to milk is like that of mother's milk, that which is essential for basic nourishment, which in old age is hard to come by. Adding the reference to a cordial, a welcoming cocktail, gives some adult tone to the description.

Correct answer by Elliot on February 17, 2021

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