cooper, couper

[Eng. coop, v.; -er. M. 1. One whose trade it is to make and repair casks, barrels, tubs, . "The couper's house is heelde by hooping fattes." Gas coigne: The Fruites of Warre. 2. A popular name for a beverage composed of stout and porter in equal proportions. The name is said to be derived from the custom at breweries of allowing the coopers each day a certain quantity of stout and porter, which they were in the habit of mixing before drinking. The tight - cooper , as also the wet - cooper , makes casks for holding liquid, and is the representative of the first inventor. The dry- cooper makes casks for goods not in a liquid state, such as flour, rice, dried fruits, soda, . The white - cooper makes butter casks, tubs, pails, and churns, and combines in some measure the skill and knowledge of his two elder brothers. A cooper - in - general is seldom a skilled workman, but a jobber and mender of other men's work. ( Weale .)