Newfondland Screech

From a Village neighbor  who is a native of Newfoundland, and some research on my own, I have learned many things about this wonderful place.  The people of Newfoundland, their unusual  lifestyle, history, and customs are unique to say the least.  Of all the stories I've heard the one I'm about to tell fascinates me the most, and it's the story of a native rum drink, it's origin and how it got it's name.  

Long ago salt fish was shipped to the West Indies in exchange for rum.  The fish became the national dish of Jamaicans and the rum became the traditional drink of Newfoundlanders.  When the government took control of alcohol  it began selling the rum in an unlabelled bottle.  The product might have remained permanently nameless except for the influx of American servicemen to Newfoundland during World War II

As the story goes, the commanding officer of the original American detachment was having his first taste of Newfoundland hospitality and , imitating the custom of his host, downed his drink in one gulp.  The officer's blood-curdling howl, when he regained his breath , brought the sympathetic and curious from miles around rushing to the house to find out what was going on.  The first to arrive was garrulous old American sergeant who pounded on the door and demanded , "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?"    

The Newfoundlander who answered the door replied simply, "The Screech? Tis the rum, me son."

So a legend was born.  Amercian servicemen adopted it as their favorite.