Have you ever wondered why the slang term for coffee is a Cup of Joe?
The phrase has been in use since World War I, but the original term, coined by sailors in the Navy, was actually a cup of Joseph Daniels. And it was meant as an insult.
Josephus Daniels was secretary to the Navy under president Woodrow Wilson. Looking to impose stricter moral standards on naval life, he made changes like increasing the number of chaplains, cracking down on prostitution at naval bases and banning alcohol.
In his biography of Daniels, author Lee Craig explains how this last decision led to the creation of the slang term.