English · Idiom Historical

pucker water

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

Water impregnated with alum, or other astringents, used by old experienced traders to counterfeit virginity.

Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English

Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Topics: Water Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “pucker water” mean?

Water impregnated with alum, or other astringents, used by old experienced traders to counterfeit virginity.

Is “pucker water” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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