hootch
Definition
Noun: 1. An illicitly distilled (and usually inferior) alcoholic liquor: "Hootch" refers to alcoholic spirits, especially whiskey, that are produced illegally and are often of poor quality.
Usage
The word "hootch" is an informal, often historical term. It is used to describe cheap, strong alcohol made illegally. It carries connotations of being homemade, unregulated, and potentially dangerous.
Examples
- The soldiers found a stash of hootch hidden in the barn.
- During Prohibition, many people made their own hootch in homemade stills.
- Be careful with that hootch; it's strong enough to strip paint.
Advanced Usage
- "Hootch" vs. "Moonshine": "Hootch" is a synonym for "moonshine." Both terms refer to illegally produced high-proof distilled spirits, traditionally associated with rural production in the United States.
Variants and Related Words
- Hooch: This is a common alternate spelling of "hootch." The two forms are interchangeable.
- He took a swig of the strong hooch.
Synonyms
- Moonshine: Illegally made whiskey.
- Bootleg: Illegally produced or sold liquor.
- White lightning: A slang term for clear, strong moonshine.
- Firewater: A slang term for strong, cheap alcoholic drink.
Related Idioms
- To be on the hootch: An old, informal phrase meaning to be drinking alcohol, especially heavily or habitually.
- After he lost his job, he was on the hootch for months.
Noun
-
an illicitly distilled (and usually inferior) alcoholic liquor
