Definition

Noun: 1. Illegally produced alcoholic drink: An alcoholic beverage, typically strong liquor like whiskey, that is made and sold illegally, often of poor quality. This is the primary and most common meaning. 2. Any strong alcoholic drink: (Informal, especially North American) Can refer to any strong alcoholic spirit in casual conversation, though this usage often retains connotations of being homemade or non-commercial.

Usage and Examples

• The primary usage refers to illicitly distilled liquor.
  • During Prohibition, many people made their own hooch in bathtubs.
  • The police raided the cabin and found a still for making hooch.
• It can be used informally for any strong alcohol.
  • After a long week, he poured himself a glass of strong hooch.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The word carries strong connotations of illegality, secrecy, and often low quality. It is associated with historical periods like Prohibition in the United States or with makeshift production.
• It is predominantly used in North American English and is considered informal or slang.

Variants and Related Words

• Hooch is the standard spelling. A less common variant is hootch.
• Moonshine: A very close synonym, specifically referring to illegally made corn whiskey. "Hooch" can be a broader term for any illicit liquor.
• Bootleg: Can be used as a noun or adjective for illegally produced or sold goods, including alcohol.

Synonyms

• Moonshine: Illicitly distilled corn whiskey.
• Bootleg liquor: Illegally produced or distributed alcohol.
• Firewater: (Informal) Strong, cheap alcoholic liquor.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Home brew/homemade hooch: Emphasizes the non-commercial, often amateur production of the alcohol.
  • Be careful with that homemade hooch; it's pretty potent.
• While not a standalone idiom, "hooch" often appears in contexts describing clandestine operations, speakeasies, or rural settings.

Noun

1. an illicitly distilled (and usually inferior) alcoholic liquor