# Grammar Question -- Challenging! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 2, 2000, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385 "2000-11-02T15:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![turn0038](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@turn0038](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turn0038)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/1 "2000-11-02T15:00:56Z")
I am looking for the transitive verb that is to potables that “Feed” is to comestibles. For example: If I don’t have the use of my arms, and am hungry…I would ask someone to “Feed me that banana.” However, if I am thristy and the same scenario applies, I can’t say “Feed me that water.” So, I am looking for the word that would complete this sentence: “\_\_\_\_\_ me that water.” Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![davesink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@davesink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davesink)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/2 "2000-11-02T15:25:39Z")
Well, the closest I could come was “slake”, defined by [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) as follows: slake (slk) v. slaked, slak·ing, slakes. v. tr. ``` 1.To satisfy (a craving); quench: slaked her thirst. 2.To lessen the force or activity of; moderate: slaking his anger. 3.To cool or refresh by wetting or moistening. 4.To combine (lime) chemically with water or moist air. ``` Notice definition 3 comes close but implies EXTERNAL rather than INTERNAL liquid refreshment. And it doesn’t quite plug into the example sentence very well: i.e. “Slake me some water”. Maybe we need to invent a word. Any nominees? ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/3 "2000-11-02T15:33:32Z")
“Pour” is the closest thing I can think of immediately, though it doesn’t generally imply the act of pouring directly into another’s mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/4 "2000-11-02T15:37:37Z")
How about “serve”? It’s a stretch, though. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/5 "2000-11-02T15:40:38Z")
Back when I worked in a hospital and we had to assist patients, the term we used was “serve,” although if we said “feed him his water” everyone knew what we meant. I suppose another correct, though very odd-sounding, constuction would be “nurse” as in nursing an infant, but again, it normally has a different context. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/6 "2000-11-02T17:19:03Z")
How about hydrate? It’s a bit clinical and really only covers water, but otherwise it seems to fit. ---
**Author:** ![MadHatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MadHatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadHatter)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/7 "2000-11-02T17:37:37Z")
Umm… How about “feed”. ---
**Author:** ![scratch1300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@scratch1300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scratch1300)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/8 "2000-11-02T17:40:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MadHatter \* > \*\*Umm… How about “feed”. \*\* Yeah! Make the water into ice cubes and you won’t have to worry! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/9 "2000-11-02T17:43:03Z")
Why not “ **Please water me** ”? Plants can be fed & watered, why not peoples? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/10 "2000-11-02T17:53:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scratch1300 \* > Yeah! Make the water into ice cubes and you won’t have to worry! 😉 \*\* I don’t think “feed” is so wrong, Mr. Smart Alec[k]. One of the definitions of “feed” in the online [Merriam-Webster’s dictionary](http://www.m-w.com) is: > [@](#): > > **2** a : to furnish something essential to the growth, sustenance, maintenance, or operation of ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/11 "2000-11-02T18:49:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t think “feed” is so wrong… If they used it in the context of human blood in _Little Shop of Horrors_–“Feed me, Seymour!”–it can’t be all bad… (#623 on my “things I learned from the movies”…) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/12 "2000-11-02T18:57:42Z")
Enright3, Pipeliner’s not going to be very happy with you. ---
**Author:** ![VileOrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9e8a1a/32.png) [@VileOrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VileOrb)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/13 "2000-11-02T19:06:01Z")
Provide, serve, and feed all seem equally good and equally not quite what you want. I suspect that there isn’t a word. What do you say when you make someone drink alcohol they don’t really want? You “fed them drinks” possibly? Why not go with that? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/14 "2000-11-02T19:09:56Z")
I see I clearly am guilty of a breech of etiquette. I didn’t indicate _where_ you called me your hero. (Although the thread had something to do with ketchup packets, if I recall) I feel so, so, … so cheap! How many heros have you had, anyway? Is pipeliner a better hero than me? Who was a better hero? I was there for you! Where was pipeliner on those tough nights? Out being someone else’s hero, I’ll bet! Not me. I was committed to being YOUR hero. ~sniffle, sniffle~ Get away from me, I don’t want you to see me like this! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/15 "2000-11-02T19:37:39Z")
I have plum forgot when I called you my hero. I’m just so fickle, as Gazoo likes to point out. Oooooh, how I hate Gazoo… ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/16 "2000-11-02T19:58:51Z")
I don’t think there is a direct correlation. The closest is probably “serve” or “give” or “get”. Or “I am thirsty. Would you please provide me some liquid sustenance?” If I might ask, is there a specific reason you need that specific phrasing? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/17 "2000-11-02T19:59:19Z")
better? ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/18 "2000-11-02T21:29:47Z")
How 'bout “squirt me some water”? No. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Skwerl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Skwerl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skwerl)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/19 "2000-11-02T21:50:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by davesink \* > \*\*Well, the closest I could come was “slake”, defined by [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) as follows: > \*\* How did you find a word like that? Did you know that word off the top of your head? * * * [MP3.com](http://MP3.com)’s hottest new act: [http://www.mp3.com/euphonicfelicity](http://www.mp3.com/euphonicfelicity) , serving up all your rock, classical, and techno needs! Made hot, fresh, just for you. ---
**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385/20 "2000-11-02T22:20:51Z")
Fetch me some water, please. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-challenging/39385.md?page=2)