Yes, it's probably not as positive as it sounds. When I was younger, I couldn't work out what gumption was, then I heard rumgumption and had it explained. But I think the old man who explained it left a little actual truth aside to a young boy, and I've this sort of gut feeling it originated with a RN tradition of a shot of rum daily, Or, before action (at war). But they didn't mean to imply what euphemistically is called Dutch courage, but the putting aside of doubts and going for the goal. 😇
Yes, it's probably not as positive as it sounds. When I was younger, I couldn't work out what gumption was, then I heard rumgumption and had it explained. But I think the old man who explained it left a little actual truth aside to a young boy, and I've this sort of gut feeling it originated with a RN tradition of a shot of rum daily, Or, before action (at war). But they didn't mean to imply what euphemistically is called Dutch courage, but the putting aside of doubts and going for the goal. 😇
I would likely have hazarded that it was Dutch courage with rum. :D
That might very well have been it's origin, as I said, they were all exRN. 😉