What it means
Growler is one of those old British bits of slang that’s had a few jobs. Most often it means a grumpy bugger who’s already in a foul mood before the day’s even properly started. In older UK use, it also meant a cab, especially the old horse-drawn kind. In parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands, it can also mean a pork pie.
Usage examples
"Dad’s a right growler before his brew. I got him a bacon butty and he still grunted, like the kettle was personally winding him up."
"My uncle is a proper growler before noon, will not say more than three syllables until the second cup of Yorkshire tea has settled and the dog has been walked round the block at least once with mutual nodding to the neighbours."
"Stopped at a service station outside Sheffield, bought a growler from the deli counter as the lad called it, ate it leaning against the boot of the car, and for the next two hours of driving I was completely content with the universe."
"Don’t ask Kev anything before breakfast, he’s a total growler till the tea kicks in."
"Grabbed a growler from the bakery in Leeds and ate half of it before we’d even left the car park."
Where it comes from
Growler comes from growl. In 19th century Britain it was used for a cab, especially a horse-drawn one, likely because of the low rumbling noise it made over the road. That same growly feel also helped it stick as a name for someone bad-tempered. The pork pie sense is a regional British use.
