Tall (long) drink of water

Posted by ESC on November 27, 2000

In Reply to: Tall (long) drink of water posted by Michelle on November 26, 2000

: I am looking for background on the phrase referring to someone as a long or tall drink of water. Have no idea exactly where I heard it the first time or exactly what it means. Any help? Thanks.

I couldn't find an origin or first use. It sounds western to me. As in: "That cowboy is a tall drink of water." It just means he's tall. Why drink of water? I imagine the American West as being a dusty, dry place and water was on people's minds a lot. Anyone else have any theories?