Sot
/sɒt/noun
A habitual drunkard or a foolish, stupefied person.
Did you know?The word was already harsh in Middle English, and it’s tied to the same old idea behind being “soaked” or stupefied by alcohol, not a mystical curse.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Old Norse influence
OE/ON
sott / sottr?
“A fool or a dull, stupefied person; later associated with heavy drinking”
12th–13th Century
Middle English
sot
“A fool, simpleton, or habitual drunkard”
14th Century
Middle English
sotte
“A foolish or drunken person, often used insultingly”
Modern English
English
sot
“A habitual drunkard; a person made dull or foolish by drink”