Tippling Tonight? Tee-Totally Not
A teetotaler—aka someone who doesn’t drink alcohol—is
not necessarily a tea drinker, as the name suggests. The
word likely came from the phrase “tee-total abstinence,” with
the first syllable used simply to emphasize the t sound, similar
to how you might say, “You’re in trouble, with a capital T!”
- speakeasy (c) illegal
bar. Speakeasies, also
known as “blind pigs” or
“gin joints,” popped up
in cities across America in
the 1920s. - swill (c) drink freely.
Mimi plans to spend her
spring break sunbathing
on the beach and swilling
margaritas. - aperitif (b) predinner
cocktail. After a round
of aperitifs, the couple
ordered filet mignon and
a bottle of cabernet. - blotto (b) intoxicated.
“Remember, you’re going
to college to learn, not
to get blotto with your
friends,” warned Dad. - distill (a) purify a liquid.
Most rum is distilled from
molasses.
Vocabulary Ratings
9 & below:rotgut
10–12: vintage
13–15: classic- wassail (a) hot spiced
beverage. A wassail is just
the thing to warm you up
on a chilly evening. - bootleg (b) produced
unlawfully. According to
family lore, Grandpa sold
bootleg whiskey from the
back of his general store. - katzenjammer (c)
hangover. I had a whop-
ping katzenjammer the
day after I turned 21! - snifter (a) small goblet.
Hassan collects vintage
snifters and highball
glasses. - Nebuchadnezzar
(a) enormous wine bottle.
“Should I bid on that
Nebuchadnezzar of
champagne at the
museum gala?” Carly
wondered. - aqua vitae (c) strong
liquor. Lakshmi has sworn
off aqua vitae until she fin-
ishes her doctoral thesis.
12. sommelier (a)
wine expert. A restaurant’s
sommelier can help you
choose the perfect wine
to complement your
meal.
13. rathskeller (b)
basement tavern. The inn
offers a cozy rathskeller
just below the formal
dining room.
14. repeal (a) put an
end to. Congress ratified
the 21st Amendment in
1933, which repealed
Prohibition.
15. dram (b) small drink.
For dessert, I’ll have
the cherry cheesecake
and a dram of amaretto,
please.
Word Power
ANSWERS
122 april 2020
Reader’s Digest
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