# Why is water not a beverage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542 "2018-05-04T00:17:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smudge777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@Smudge777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smudge777)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/1 "2018-05-04T00:17:48Z")
I just learnt that the word ‘beverage’ in English tends to mean any potable liquid other than water. Considering the word’s etymology, this is surprising to me – especially because in other languages, the cognates include water. Can anyone explain why English has come to exclude water as a beverage? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/2 "2018-05-04T00:23:35Z")
bev·er·age ˈbev(ə)rij/ noun noun: beverage; plural noun: beverages ``` a drink, especially one other than water. ``` It doesn’t say it _can’t_ be water. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/3 "2018-05-04T00:51:40Z")
Because water is special and sort of gets its own category. Sort of like when someone says “bird”, a chicken is normally not the first example you think of, even though obviously it is one. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/4 "2018-05-04T00:57:24Z")
Interesting. I’d absolutely consider it a beverage. ---
**Author:** ![sbunny8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/5 "2018-05-04T01:03:02Z")
I’ll bet long odds that if your local fast food restaurant has a sign which says “beverages”, that’s where you’ll find the water. I’m with Snfaulkner on this one. The definition doesn’t say water isn’t a beverage. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/6 "2018-05-04T01:04:24Z")
When I say beverage, there’s a very good chance that I mean water. But I still get the logic. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/7 "2018-05-04T01:11:18Z")
[Careful man i’ve got a beverage here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPYz6AWxjGk) ---
**Author:** ![Clothes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clothes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothes)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/8 "2018-05-04T01:20:27Z")
Dear “Smudge777” or should I say “Mr. President”! Yes I know it is you! “Smudge” is too close to “Trump” for a coincidense, and 777 is a very lucky number, and you are a very lucky man to be President! Stand up! Take a bow! Now sit down. Now for your question: why is water not a bevrage? I guess it has you worried, but do not fear, Toth is here to help. I have helped all the Presidents going back to Hoover (picture with as baby), and now I am proud to do the same for 48 (you). Now what do we know? Some say water is “Not a bevrage”! Someone else says “Yes, water is a bevrage!” I think you can see where I’m going with this. You’re the President, if you say Water is a bevrage, then it is. You can say anything you want! Times are too hard, especially now that TY Cobb (King Weasel) is out, you need to relax. I look forward to tomorrows Tweets as always, my President! Keep it up! Lazlo Toth ---
**Author:** ![Smudge777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@Smudge777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smudge777)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/9 "2018-05-04T01:22:09Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > bev·er·age > ˈbev(ə)rij/ > noun > noun: beverage; plural noun: beverages > > ``` > a drink, especially one other than water. > > ``` > > It doesn’t say it _can’t_ be water. Oxford dictionary states “a drink other than water”. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/10 "2018-05-04T01:28:27Z")
> [@Smudge777](#): > > Oxford dictionary states “a drink other than water”. That’s the basic version of the Oxford Online Dictionary, with only one definition. I don’t have access to the full OED but I suspect there are more definitions there that include water. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/11 "2018-05-04T01:53:36Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > That’s the basic version of the Oxford Online Dictionary, with only one definition. I don’t have access to the full OED but I suspect there are more definitions there that include water. My copy of the OED has as the first definition, “Drink, liquor for drinking, _esp._ a liquor which constututes a common article of consumption.” ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/12 "2018-05-04T02:39:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Interesting. I’d absolutely consider it a beverage. Me too. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/13 "2018-05-04T02:45:39Z")
I’m beveraging water right now. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/14 "2018-05-04T02:51:56Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > ``` > a drink, especially one other than water. > > ``` > > It doesn’t say it _can’t_ be water. > [@DavidwithanR](#): > > Because water is special and sort of gets its own category. To elaborate: I can think of three ways in which water is so “special” that it might not be considered a “beverage.” 1. Unlike other beverages, water isn’t _just_ used for drinking; it has many other uses too. 2. Drinking water is often provided at no extra charge, and sometimes automatically, in restaurants, whereas other beverages have to be specifically ordered. 3. Water as a beverage is sort of like “clear” as a color. There’s not much to it, by itself, but other beverages are made of/from it. Still, I would, personally, count water as a beverage. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/15 "2018-05-04T02:58:05Z")
Ripper: Have you ever seen a commie drink a glass of water? Mandrake: Well, no I… I can’t say I have, Jack. Ripper: Vodka. That’s what they drink, isn’t it? Never water? Mandrake: Well I… I believe that’s what they drink, Jack. Yes. Ripper: On no account will a commie ever drink water, and not without good reason. Mandrake: Oh, ah, yes. I don’t quite… see what you’re getting at, Jack. Ripper: Water. That’s what I’m getting at. Water. Mandrake, water is the source of all life. Seven tenths of this earth’s surface is water. Why, you realize that… seventy percent of you is water. Mandrake: Uhhh God… Ripper: And as human beings, you and I need fresh, pure water to replenish our precious bodily fluids. Mandrake: Yes. chuckles nervously Ripper: You beginning to understand? Mandrake: Yes. chuckles. begins laughing/crying quietly ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/16 "2018-05-04T03:05:41Z")
> [@Clothes](#): > > Dear “Smudge777” or should I say “Mr. President”! Yes I know it is you! “Smudge” is too close to “Trump” for a coincidense, and 777 is a very lucky number, and you are a very lucky man to be President! Stand up! Take a bow! Now sit down. > > Now for your question: why is water not a bevrage? I guess it has you worried, but do not fear, Toth is here to help. I have helped all the Presidents going back to Hoover (picture with as baby), and now I am proud to do the same for 48 (you). Now what do we know? Some say water is “Not a bevrage”! Someone else says “Yes, water is a bevrage!” I think you can see where I’m going with this. You’re the President, if you say Water is a bevrage, then it is. You can say anything you want! > > Times are too hard, especially now that TY Cobb (King Weasel) is out, you need to relax. I look forward to tomorrows Tweets as always, my President! > > Keep it up! > Lazlo Toth **Moderator Note** **Clothes** , let’s keep the political jabs out of General Questions. I realize you are joking, but this could also be read as a jab at the OP. And yes, I know who [Lazlo Toth](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57639.The_Lazlo_Letters) is. **Clothes** , you’re no Don Novello, so don’t even try.😉 Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/17 "2018-05-04T03:45:35Z")
There’s probably some context dependence here. “Would you like a drink?” can refer to alcohol specifically, or any imbibement, depending on the circumstances. “Beverage” is in a similar position, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Clothes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clothes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothes)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/18 "2018-05-04T04:05:42Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > And yes, I know who [Lazlo Toth](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57639.The_Lazlo_Letters) is. Every Doper can be/ is Lazlo Toth. Who’s Don Novello? ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/19 "2018-05-04T04:19:46Z")
> [@Clothes](#): > > Every Doper can be/ is Lazlo Toth. Who’s Don Novello? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kO8x8eoU3L4/hqdefault.jpg "Father Guido Sarducci's Five Minute University") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO8x8eoU3L4) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542/20 "2018-05-04T04:36:03Z")
> [@Clothes](#): > > Every Doper can be/ is Lazlo Toth. Not in GQ they can’t. 😉 > [@](#): > > Who’s Don Novello? :dubious: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-not-a-beverage/813542.md?page=2)