Drink
Amber nectar
Meaning
A slang term for lager.
Examples
I’ve been in the outback all day rounding up sheep and my throat’s as dry as a pommies towel. I’m just about ready to sink a few tinnies of the amber nectar.
Where did it originate?
Originally the USA but only becoming widely used following its use as an advertising slogan by Foster’s Lager, initially in Australia.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but rarely by the over 60s.
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Brahms and Lizst
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for pissed.
Examples
Two bottles of wine at home and then four pints in the pub – he was totally Brahms by ten-o-clock.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Designated driver
Meaning
Someone who agrees not to drink alcohol at a social event in order to be sober enough to drive others home.
Examples
It really wasn’t my turn to be designated driver this week but I was late arriving and by the time I got there all the others were already drunk.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1980s
Where is it used?
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Don't cry over spilt milk
Meaning
Don’t fret pointlessly about some mistake or loss when it can’t be remedied.
Examples
Well, the vase is smashed. There’s no point crying over spilt milk.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century proverb.
Where is it used?
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Drink like a fish
Meaning
Drink very heavily.
Examples
Dean Martin drank like a fish.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Elephant's trunk
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for drunk.
Examples
He’s been in the bar since we opened six hours ago. It’s fair to assume that he’s totally elephants by now.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Ginger Beer
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for queer.
Examples
Julian is ginger – and I don’t mean that he’s got red hair.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Hair of the dog
Meaning
An alcoholic drink, intended to cure a hangover. It is mistakenly believed that a small measure of the same drink that made a person drunk will sober them up and cure the drinks ill effects. The expression is also used in other contexts, whenever an additional dose of whatever caused a problem is thought to be an appropriate remedy.
Examples
I feel rough. I shouldn’t have had those last six tequila slammers last night. Here goes another – maybe it will be the hair of the dog.
Where did it originate?
England, 16th century.
Where is it used?
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Liquor up
Meaning
To supply or to drink alcoholic drink.
Examples
They decided to get liquored up in the pub, even before they got to the party.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century (to supply liquor). USA, 19th century (to drink liquor).
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not commonly used everywhere.
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Rosie Lea
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for tea.
Examples
Put the kettle on would you? I’d love a nice cup of rosie lea.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain.
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Tea leaf
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for thief.
Examples
Just be careful to keep your purse safe when you go down to the market – there are plenty of tea leaves ready to steal it.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Wine and dine
Meaning
Entertain in a high class restaurant.
Examples
We won an all-expenses paid trip to Paris. We were wined and dined every night for free.
Where is it used?
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Worse for wear
Meaning
Either 1. Shabby and worn out, or 2. Drunk.
Examples
1. This winter coat is a few years old now and is starting to look a bit worse for wear. 2. I know it’s Jack’s leaving do and he wants to stay until the end but, after all those tequia slammers, he’s begining to look a little worse for wear.
Where is it used?
Both forms used Worldwide, although 2 is more common in Britain than elsewhere.
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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
Meaning
You can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice.
Examples
I bought her a car; I even paid for the driving lessons, but she still travels everywhere by bus.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 12th century. One of the oldest proverbs in the English language
Where is it used?
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