squareface
Definition
- Noun (slang):
- Gin: "squareface" is a slang term for the alcoholic spirit gin, particularly used in British English. The term likely derives from the square shape of gin bottles or the effect of drinking gin on one's facial expression.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He ordered a pint of squareface at the pub. (He ordered a pint of gin.)
- The old sailors would drink squareface to keep warm at sea. (They would drink gin for warmth.)
Advanced Usage
- "Squareface" is primarily used in colloquial or informal contexts, often in historical or working-class settings. It is rarely used in modern formal speech but may appear in literature or dialogue to evoke a specific time or social group.
- The barman poured her a glass of squareface, straight up. (The barman served her gin, neat.)
Variants and Related Words
- Square (adj): having four equal sides and right angles; also slang for "old-fashioned" or "conventional" (unrelated to "squareface").
- The bottle's design was square. (The bottle had a square shape.)
- Gin (n): the standard term for the spirit; "squareface" is a synonym.
Synonyms
- Gin: the standard name for the alcoholic beverage.
- Mother's ruin: another slang term for gin, referencing its historical association with poverty and social decay.
- Dutch courage: a phrase referring to courage gained from drinking alcohol, often gin.
Related Idioms
- "To have a squareface": to be drunk on gin.
- After a few glasses of squareface, he had a squareface. (After drinking gin, he was intoxicated.)
Notes
- The term "squareface" is rare in contemporary usage and may be considered outdated. It is most commonly encountered in British slang dictionaries or historical texts.