Funny, I used to be a big fan of the Bob and Tom show, that was syndicated here in Raleigh. They had a bit about this, very similar "Hot Dickens Cider". Well, not everyone listens to that show and when I said in a big group of my friends at a tailgate one fine, chilly Saturday "hey Bob, if Sally (Bob's wife) wants something to help warm up I can give her a Hot Dickens Cidar". Well, crickets and awkward stares quickly had me on the defense trying to explain the bit. That was before the time when I could quickly pull it up on a phone to help explain. Oy!
@mtweller Yep. I remember hearing it on B&T in CLT around 1998. My roommate thought it was the funniest thing ever and would find any way to work that phrase into conversation wherever he was. Didn't always go as he'd hoped, as you experienced!