The Water of Life

By Dave Fox

Most European countries have their own local brand of firewater. These liquors all have different names, but many, when translated, are actually called the same thing.

In Scotland, people drank a concoction they called "uisge beathe," Gaelic for "water of life." English speakers took the first part of the phrase — "uisge," meaning water — and Anglicized it to "whisky" or "whiskey." (Scotch whisky is spelled without the letter "e." Irish whiskey adds the extra letter.)

In 12th century Russia, monks distilled a beverage intended for medicinal purposes. It too was called "water of life" — "zhizennia voda" in Russian. Later, they shortened the name... and made it cuter. "Voda" the Russian word for "water," was changed to "vodka" — the dimunitive, term-of-endearment form of the word. Literally translated, "vodka" means "dear little water."

Throughout Scandinavia, akvavit is the national beverage. The potato-based liquor, usually flavored with caraway and a variety of herbs, takes it's name from the Latin "aqua vitae" — again "water of life."

In France, after a restaurant meal, your waiter will often ask if you would like an "eau de vie," which is the French translation for uisge beathe, zhizennia voda, and aqua vitae. An eau de vie usually consists of a fruit-flavored brandy. Plum, cherry, black currant, and pear are popular flavors.

Doctors today say drinking alcohol in moderation has certain medicinal effects. The term "water of life" was coined many centuries ago, when people believed a little nip of intoxicating "water" could prolong one's life.