1) A shot, or jigger, is one-and-one-half fluid ounces. I'm very sorry to learn that the "English" system of measures has already been forgotten by English adults, and that we Americans have to carry on this archaic tradition by ourselves.

2) "The doctor got me on/
He got me on milk/
cream/
and alco-ho-o-o-ol"
-- John Lee Hooker, "Serve You Right to Suffer"

I'm sure that John Lee's song predates, and is probably consciously quoted by, Nick Lowe's. Hooker and Van Morrison once recorded a great duet version of "Serve You Right to Suffer."

3) Milk and alcohol isn't all *that* weird a combination. Consider the White Russian, Brandy Alexander,and that Mardi Gras Morning favorite, Brandy Milk Punch. I'm partial to Irish whiskey and milk (or half-and-half); especially since having my throat ravaged by invasive medical treatment, it's become difficult for me to knock back straight whiskey. I also recommend Irish plus coffee liqueur (Kahlua or generic equivalent) with milk -- same as a White Russian but substituting whiskey for vodka (or, you could think of it as Irish Coffee without the coffee).

In the film "The Great Lebowski," the title character has a serious White Russian habit, and refers to his drink of choice as a "Caucasian." Makes sense, since the word "Caucasian" refers both to the "white" "race" and to a mountain range near the southwestern border of Russian and well within the boundaries of the former Soviet Union. I've taken to calling my variation an "Irish Caucasian," but perhaps someone could suggest a better name.