lightning
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Gin.
Register: archaic, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I took some gin but it did little to calm my mood. […] 'Come now, Bess,' she entreated, and poured another glass of lightning. 'Tell your old mother everything.' I took a gulp of the spirit, then babbled all, showing her the loot now in my possession.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “lightning” mean?
Gin.
Is “lightning” formal or informal?
lightning is generally archaic, slang.