- Today's Word
Quaff
KWAHF
Definition
(verb/noun) To drink something heartily or in large gulps.
Example
After the long hike, they quaffed cold water straight from their canteens.
Word Origin
Late 16th century: origin uncertain, possibly imitative of the sound of drinking deeply, or potentially from obsolete German “quassen” meaning “to overindulge in food or drink.”
Fun Fact
Quaff carries a jovial, celebratory connotation that “drink” simply doesn’t capture. You don’t quaff medicine or sip tea delicately—you quaff ale at a tavern, mead at a feast, or cold lemonade on a hot day. The word appears frequently in fantasy literature and medieval settings, giving it an almost theatrical quality. Shakespeare used it multiple times, and it remains the preferred verb for describing how Vikings, pirates, and adventurers consume their beverages. Modern craft beer enthusiasts have embraced “quaff” to describe easy-drinking, sessionable beers meant for enthusiastic consumption rather than careful contemplation.
