English

Noun

beer muscles pl ‎(plural only)

1. (idiomatic) An aggressive attitude resulting from consumption of an alcoholic beverage.
   • 1979, "Letters: Summing Up Summerfest and Planning Ahead," Milwaukee Journal, 14 Jul., p. 10 (retrieved 3 Jan. 2010):

     Many people, especially after a few beers, grow “beer muscles” and are ready to fight for any reason.

   • 1999, Phil Mushnick, "In-Arena Shows Are Big Turnoff," New York Post, 18 June, p. 94:

     The show has become a come-on for drunks to flex their beer muscles.

   • 2009, Andrew W. Lehren and Christine Hauser, "In New York City, Fewer Murders on Rainy Days ," New York Times, 3 July (retrieved 3 Jan. 2010):

     “Everybody's out partying, people start drinking, old beefs pop up, and people get their beer muscles out and start fighting.”

2. (idiomatic, humorous) A protruding stomach, supposedly indicative of excessive consumption of beer.
   • 1939, American Flint, vol. 28, p. 41

     Grothers Gribble, Berger, Wolf, Shadwill and the writer are still nursing their “beer muscles.” I mean German goitres.

   • 1982, "Brewing firms says small is better," Milwaukee Sentinel, 2 Sept. (retrieved 3 Jan. 2010):

     “You can't find a better-tasting beer,” said Farmer Cheatle, a resident who was losing a battle to hold in a bulging belly he called “beer muscles”.

   • 1990, John Harvey, The Legend of Captain Space, ISBN 9780002235563, p. 33:

     Nick made legs of his fingers and walked them on the baby's belly. . . . “[L]ook at those beer muscles!”

Synonyms

• (aggressive attitude): bravado
• (protruding stomach): beer belly, beer gut, German goitre
• See also Wikisaurus:paunch.

Translations