Why Do We Call Liquor “Spirits”? - DRINKING IN AMERICA

Skip to content Why Do we Call Alcohol, or Liquor, “Spirits”?

Why do people call liquor (or alcohol) “spirits”? While we don’t have the official answer (no one seems to), but we do have some pretty interesting theories.

1. Back in the day, Middle Eastern alchemists were more concerned with medical elixirs than with turning lead into gold. The vapor given off and collected during an alchemical process (as with distillation of alcohol) was called a spirit of the original material.

2. Monks in Europe during the 12 Century believed that the spirit was removed from the “mash” during the distilling process. To this day, some European rye whiskey drinkers still pour out the first shot onto the ground (in order to giving the angels their share).

3. The word al-ghawl is the origin of the English word “ghoul.” “Ghoul” is another word for “spirit.” Get it?

The most believable explanation, however, might just be that imbibing liquor raises ones spirits.

Which theory do you think is most believable? Answer in the comments below.

Please Note: This article was originally posted on 5/24/11 and updated on 2/13/23.

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9 thoughts on “Why Do we Call Alcohol, or Liquor, “Spirits”?”

1. It is called spirit because it haunts you the next day

2. The “Angels Share” is the whiskey/spirits that is absorbed through the barrels during aging.

3. Holy Spirit vs “spirits.” Which are you under the influence of? Be filled!!

4. I believe that it open doors to spirits !!that why people act stupid when they drink

5. Unfortunately u attract bad spirits towards u when u drink alcohol (spirits). It also lowers ur vibration.

6. I believe it refers to the “Devil’s cut!”

7. The devil is waiting for you at the bottom of the bottle.

8. Maybe they called spirits Spirits because when you were drunk or coming down you would see things like delirium tremens hallucinations or whatnot

9. We’ve all known people who lost control of their mouths and/or fists as a result of drinking, some after only two or three. Then there’s the ones who go full sentimental; not sure which is worse. I believe the term spirits means just that.

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