As mentioned earlier, I asked at my wife's family reunion about the
words "skoda lasky", and it soon was agreed that "skoda" means "drink"
and "Lasky" means "keg". The word for beer is "pivo", although some
thought "piva".
These are second and third generation descendants of Czech, or Bohemian
immigrants. Most knew the tune and some words to "Beer Barrel Polka",
but in English. They were surprised to know it was written by a Czech
and as late as 1934. However they all knew a song with the words "Beer
beer, red beer", but the melody did not sound like Beer Barrel Polka.
For beer drinkers it is interesting to note that "Pilsner" comes from the
name of a town in old Bohemia. Bohemia is the geographical area around
Prague. Czechoslovakia did not appear on the maps until after WW1, I
think.
Richard Moody
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