AWOL

n. a device for delivering alcohol in a vaporized form mixed with oxygen; the vaporized alcohol itself. Subjects: English, Food & Drink, Acronym

Etymological Note: alcohol without liquid

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Citations: 2003 Times (London, England) (Nov. 25) “Snifter snubbed” p. 8: Awol, or Alcohol With Out Liquid, mixes spirits with pure oxygen to create a cloudy alcohol vapour that “can either be snorted or inhaled.” 2004 The Sun (U.K.) (Feb. 16) “Dangers of snifter” p. 19: The Alcohol Without Liquid (Awol) inhaler gives an alcoholic hit via the nose or mouth straight to the brain. 2005 PR Newswire (U.S.) (Jan. 26) “Diageo Supports Ban on ‘Alcohol Without Liquid’ (AWOL) Machines”: Diageo, the world’s leading beer, wine and spirits company, and an industry leader in promoting responsible drinking, announced its support for proposed Colorado legislation banning AWOL ("Alcohol Without Liquid") machines.

Posted 14 Feb 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

It’s also a military term for “Absent WithOut Leave”. A violation of Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

http://usmilitary.about.c om/od/punitivearticles/a/ mcm86.htm

by heivilinj 16 Nov 05, 0915 GMT

Well, of course it is. But that’s a well-established widespread term so there’s no point in defining it on a site like this.

by Grant Barrett 16 Nov 05, 0919 GMT

And yet you have to define what a mortar is (re: Mortarville). I presumed that military terminology may not be well known.

Sorry, my bad for trying to help. Won’t happen again.

by heivilinj 17 Nov 05, 0330 GMT

Yes, but mortar does not get its own entry: it’s merely explanatory text. I do appreciate the help, but I also wanted to make it plain that “fringes of English” means just that.

by Grant Barrett 17 Nov 05, 0336 GMT