"drink"

Bob   Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:39 am GMT
Why do we use the word "drink" to specifically refer to drinking alcohol? Why is that done? Does anyone know?
Skippy   Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:22 am GMT
I can't think of any examples off the top of my head... But we do this in other cases. It's just that saying "I'm not drinking tonight" at the same time that you're taking a sip of water includes implied information...

Sorry I'm not more helpful... It's tough to find information on why this happens... But it's relatively typical as languages evolve.
Guest   Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:08 am GMT
It is the case in other languages too, that's all I can tell you.
Bob   Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:50 pm GMT
I drink, but I don't drink.
Guest   Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:44 pm GMT
I do : )
Guest   Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:54 pm GMT
I don't drink but I don't object.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtUgarayU3g
Jim   Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:11 pm GMT
What, non-alchoholic liquids are safe to drink too?
anti-teetotaller   Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:09 pm GMT
To Jim:

Only if used as mouthwash. But don't abuse.