Dipsomaniac
/ˌdɪp.səˈmeɪ.ni.æk/noun
A person with a compulsive or uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
Did you know?Dipsomaniac was coined in the 19th century as a clinical-sounding label, turning alcohol craving into something that sounded less like a habit and more like possession.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dei̯bʰ- / *dʰeybʰ-
“A proposed ancient root associated with thirst or drinking (ultimately reflected in Greek forms).”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δίψα (dípsa)
“Thirst.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μανία (manía)
“Madness, frenzy, or obsession.”
19th Century
English
dipsomania
“A pathological craving for alcohol; an alcohol addiction.”
19th Century
English
dipsomaniac
“A person afflicted with dipsomania.”
Modern English
English
dipsomaniac
“A person with a compulsive craving for alcohol.”