Definition

Noun: * Any alcoholic beverage of inferior quality: "Rotgut" refers to cheap, poorly made, and often harsh-tasting or impure alcoholic liquor. It strongly implies the drink is of such low quality that it could cause physical discomfort or illness.

Usage

The word "rotgut" is informal and almost always derogatory. It is used to express strong disapproval of an alcoholic drink's quality, often focusing on its negative effects. It functions as a mass noun (uncountable).

Examples

• The sailors complained that the tavern served nothing but cheap rotgut.
• After drinking that rotgut whiskey, I had a terrible headache.
• He warned us not to buy the unlabeled bottle, calling it dangerous rotgut.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: "Rotgut" can be used attributively before another noun to describe the type of alcohol.
  • They were drinking some rotgut gin they had bought from a dubious source.
  • The bar was known for its rotgut liquor and frequent fights.

Variants and Related Words

• Rotgut is a compound word formed from "rot" + "gut," vividly describing something that would rot or spoil one's insides. There are no standard variants (e.g., "rotguts" is not commonly used).

Synonyms

• Hooch: Informal term for cheap or illicit alcohol.
• Moonshine: Specifically refers to illegally distilled alcohol, often implying rough quality.
• Firewater: Emphasizes the burning sensation of strong, cheap liquor.
• Swill: Literally means kitchen waste fed to pigs; used figuratively for any very bad drink or food.

Antonyms

• Top-shelf liquor: High-quality, premium spirits.
• Fine wine / spirits: Refined, well-crafted alcoholic beverages.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• No specific idioms: "Rotgut" itself is a vivid, standalone term and is not typically part of a larger idiomatic structure. Its meaning is contained within the single word.

Noun

1. any alcoholic beverage of inferior quality