Drinking target water: Meaning and origin of the idiom
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The idiom “drinking target water” is an integral part of German colloquial language and is often used jokingly when someone has missed a target. But where does this expression come from and what exactly does it mean? In this article, we shed light on the origin and meaning of this idiom.
What does the idiom “drink target water” mean?
The idiom “You'd better drink target water” is usually used when someone misses the mark in a targeted activity. It humorously expresses that the accuracy of the person being addressed leaves something to be desired. Whether in darts, bowling, shooting sports, or even figuratively in discussions, the request to drink Zielwasser implies that it could improve accuracy.
The historical origin: soldier and hunter language
Zielwasser has its origins in soldier language around 1900 and in hunter language. Historical sources such as Paul Horn's “Die deutsche Soldatensprache” (German Soldier Language) from 1899 and Otto Ernst Maisser's “Deutsche Soldatensprache” (German Soldier Language) from 1917 prove that Zielwasser originally referred to schnapps. This was supposed to increase a shooter's accuracy.
The term was used in a similar way in hunting slang. Here, “target water” also referred to alcoholic beverages that were consumed before shooting. The alcohol was supposed to reduce hand tremors, resulting in a steadier hand when aiming.
Water or alcohol? The truth about target water
Contrary to popular belief, historical target water is not water, but schnapps or other alcoholic beverages. Medical research even confirms that alcohol in small amounts can actually inhibit tremors (shaking) of the hands, as documented in pharmacological textbooks.
Interestingly, however, there are also contradictory accounts: in his work “Das Alte Heer” (The Old Army, 1931), the writer Hans-Caspar von Zobeltitz claims that until 1918, buckets of water with ladles were actually provided at shooting ranges in the Prussian army. These were used to give the shooters water to drink before shooting – in other words, water instead of alcohol.
The saying today
Today, the expression “drinking target water” is mainly used in a figurative, joking sense. It has moved away from its military and hunting context and has entered everyday language. The expression is often heard in recreational sports such as darts, bowling, or billiards when someone misses the target.
