pony jug
A little jug, usually of whiskey or moonshine you can tote easy.
Also called pony bottle.
Updated September 24, 2026
pony jug pronunciation
/POH-nee jug/
Meaning
A pony jug is the small jug, not the gallon sitting under the sink. In rural Southern and Appalachian talk it often means a personal-sized jug of whiskey or shine, something you can tuck under an arm or in a lunch pail. Pony already meant a small drink or bottle elsewhere in American English. Stick jug on it and you get the country-sized pour.
How folks use it
- “He didn't bring a gallon, just a pony jug for the ride home.”
- “Grandaddy kept a pony jug behind the seat of that old truck.”
Origin and etymology
Pony has meant something small of its kind since the 1800s, including a pony glass of liquor and later pony bottles of beer. Rural Southern speech put that size word with jug for a small liquor container, often moonshine. Exact size varies, but think pint-range, not a half-gallon.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a pony jug?
Small enough to carry easy, often about a pint or less. Bigger than a shot, smaller than the family jug.