hooch
pronunciation
How to pronounce hooch in British English:
UK [hu:tʃ]
How to pronounce hooch in American English:
US [hutʃ]
-
- Noun:
- an illicitly distilled (and usually inferior) alcoholic liquor
Word Origin
- hooch (n.)
- also hootch, "cheap whiskey," 1897, shortened form of Hoochinoo (1877) "liquor made by Alaskan Indians," from the name of a native tribe in Alaska whose distilled liquor was a favorite with miners in 1898 Klondike gold rush; the tribe's name is said by OED to be from Tlingit Hutsnuwu, literally "grizzly bear fort." As the supply of whisky was very limited, and the throats down which it was poured were innumerable, it was found necessary to create some sort of a supply to meet the demand. This concoction was known as "hooch"; and disgusting as it is, it is doubtful if it is much more poisonous than the whisky itself. [M.H.E. Hayne, "The Pioneers of the Klondyke," London, 1897]
Example
- 1. You heard what madam hooch said .
- 2. Especially seeing you haven 't purchased that much hooch .
- 3. Hooch will not solve your problems .
- 4. Others fear that recipients will squander their cash on local hooch and the like .
- 5. They 're giving the boys hooch for the pain .