Whiskey
/ˈwɪs.ki/noun
A distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash.
Did you know?The word 'whiskey' comes from the Gaelic 'uisge beatha', meaning 'water of life', often used in ancient rituals and celebrations.
Etymological Timeline
Old Irish
Old Irish
uisge beatha
“Water of life.”
Middle Irish
Middle Irish
uisge beatha
“Water of life; distilled liquor.”
15th Century
Scottish Gaelic
uisge beatha
“Spirituous liquor, often associated with health and vitality.”
17th Century
English
whiskey
“Anglicized term for Irish and Scottish distilled spirits.”