Login

Green’s Dictionary of Slang

baptize v.

also baptise

[i.e. to ‘immerse in water’]

to dilute wine or alcohol.

1636		implied in baptized
1785		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1933		Ersine Und. and Prison Sl.

In derivatives

baptized (adj.)

1. of alcohol, usu. spirits, watered down.

1636		J. Healey Theophrastus 46: He will give his best friends his baptised wine [F&H].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Baptized, or christened. Rum, brandy, or any other spirits, that have been lowered with water.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1812–82		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1823		‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.
1859		Matsell Vocabulum 10: baptized Liquor that has been watered.
1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 6: Baptised, [...] water in liquor.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn) 17: baptized booze Cut liquor.

2. (Aus.) drowned.

1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 6: Baptised, drowned.
1955		N. Pulliam I Travelled a Lonely Land (1957) 230/1: baptized – drowned.