bathtub gin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (historical/literary term)Historical, informal, sometimes humorous.
Quick answer
What does “bathtub gin” mean?
Homemade, often illicitly produced gin, originally made during Prohibition (1920-1933) in the United States, typically in small, improvised batches of poor quality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Homemade, often illicitly produced gin, originally made during Prohibition (1920-1933) in the United States, typically in small, improvised batches of poor quality.
Any amateurishly or unprofessionally made alcoholic spirit; metaphorically, something crudely or hastily made, often with a sense of rebellious or makeshift ingenuity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is fundamentally American due to its origin in US Prohibition. British usage is largely historical or referential, understanding it as an Americanism. In the UK, 'moonshine' or 'homebrew' might be more generic contemporary equivalents.
Connotations
In American English: potent historical and cultural symbolism of the 1920s. In British English: primarily a recognized term for a specific American historical practice.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary British English outside historical discussion. In American English, it remains a culturally recognized term but is not used for modern homemade spirits (which are called 'moonshine' or 'homebrew').
Grammar
How to Use “bathtub gin” in a Sentence
make bathtub gindrink bathtub ginbathtub gin from [ingredient]bathtub gin of [quality]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bathtub gin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They used to bathtub-gin their own spirits in the back shed. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- During Prohibition, many amateurs would try to bathtub gin with disastrous results. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He had a bathtub-gin operation set up in his flat. (hyphenated attributive)
American English
- The party had a bathtub gin vibe, with jars of questionable homemade liquor. (compound attributive)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically for a poorly planned, risky venture.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies of Prohibition America.
Everyday
Very rare. Used for humorous exaggeration about something poorly made.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bathtub gin”
- Using it to refer to any cheap gin (it must be homemade/illicit).
- Using it for modern legally homemade spirits (which are 'homebrew').
- Spelling as 'bath tub gin' (should be hyphenated or solid: bathtub gin).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a specific historical practice, no. However, the term 'moonshine' or 'craft distilling' covers modern homemade or small-batch spirits. Legally produced 'bathtub gin' is a marketing term for some small-scale gins.
Because the initial mixing or dilution of the high-proof alcohol with water was sometimes done in a bathtub, a readily available container large enough for the process.
Yes, often. Poor distillation could concentrate toxic methanol (wood alcohol), leading to blindness or death. Impurities also caused severe hangovers and illness.
Yes, it can describe any scheme, idea, or product that is recklessly improvised, of low quality, or illicitly produced.
Homemade, often illicitly produced gin, originally made during Prohibition (1920-1933) in the United States, typically in small, improvised batches of poor quality.
Bathtub gin is usually historical, informal, sometimes humorous. in register.
Bathtub gin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːθtʌb ʤɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæθtʌb ʤɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] That proposal is pure bathtub gin—hastily concocted and likely to have unpleasant consequences.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 1920s gangster taking a bath not in water, but in a tub full of hastily made gin.
Conceptual Metaphor
MAKING A DRINK IS CONCOCTING A PLAN (often a bad one). / ILLICIT PRODUCTION IS IMPROVISATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical context for the term 'bathtub gin'?