fire-water

Give 'em some fire-water, Curly, an 'le's talk it over.

The Passing of Marcus O'Brien 2010

I did not go so much on the Schnapps, it was like fire-water but it warmed us up.

John Keay 2010

His calling rum fire-water, and me a pale face, wholly fail to reconcile me to him.

Reprinted Pieces 2007

The wretch had been drinking fire-water in the next box!

The Virginians 2006

And rising from the table he stumped to the inner room where he kept his fire-water under lock and key, and away from the poor Biche, who could not resist that temptation.

The Virginians 2006

Dashing the filthy importunate brutes aside, and, as it were, kicking his ugly remembrances away from him, Mr. Warrington seized a great glass of that fire-water which he had recommended to poor humiliated Parson Sampson, and, flinging off his fine damask robe, rang for the trembling Gumbo, and ordered his coat.

The Virginians 2006

Not necessarily, cf the problems with the word for 'whiskey' in Iroquois languages all 'cognate' compounds meaning 'fire-water'.

languagehat.com: MUSKOGEAN AND LAMB'S-QUARTERS. 2005

I wonder how whisky loving MPs will get by for the next month at their constituency retreats without their favourite fire-water?

Archive 2005-10-01 Kerron Cross 2005

But though he did not go after the fire-water of Bolton Street, neither was he able to satisfy himself with the cool fountain of Onslow Crescent.

The Claverings 2005

Some call it "fire-water" (pronounced with delightful Scottish burr by the proprietress of our honeymoon B&B on the Isle of Skye) but my husband likes its distinctive character.

epistolary romance 2004