long drink of water
/lɔŋ ˈdɹɪŋk əv ˈwɔtɚ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.76 in modern English
28
Scrabble Score
16
Letters
2
Syllables
13
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "Stair had grown up into a great lang drink, and would faukled, as Robin Cummell said, if he fell."
- "Other acts will include Klein, Abe and Nicholson, “the fat bellboy, the corpulent Scot and ‘the long drink of water,’” in a comedy of melody."
- "Mr. [David] Kirkwood [Independent Labour Party member] addressed his reproof to Lord Winterton [Edward Turnour, 6th Earl Winterton], who, along with his colleagues, had protested against the defiance of the speaker's ruling. "Ye are not treating with Indians, ye big long drink of water," he shouted. Immediately the Speaker reproved the member for Dumbarton."
Etymology
The term originated in the United States, and was presumably used in vaudeville performances. It was derived from earlier Scots lang drink.
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /lɔŋ ˈdɹɪŋk əv ˈwɔtɚ/
- British English: /lɒŋ ˈdɹɪŋk əv ˈwɔːtə/