Green’s Dictionary of Slang

scale n.3

[13C–16C SE scale, drinking vessel and/or synon. Du. schaal; hence Sintu sekale, a large container for beer or other liquor, a measure of liquor]

(S.Afr. township) an alcoholic drink.

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[SA]M. Melamu Children of Twilight 5: He was normally in excellent spirits when he’d imbibed a ‘scale’ or two.