subs. phr. (common).—1. The ocean; spec. the Atlantic. Also BIG POND, HERRING POND, the PUDDLE (q.v.).
1882. M. E. BRADDON, Mount Royal, xiii. ‘I was coming across the BIG DRINK as fast as a Cunard could bring me.’
2. (Western American).—The Mississippi river.
18[?]. New York Spirit of the Times [BARTLETT]. Well, as I was sayin’, off I sot, went through Mississippi, crossed the BIG DRINK, come too now and then, when the chill come it too strong, but couldn’t git shut of the ager.
TO TAKE A BIG (or LONG) DRINK, phr. (common).—To liquor from a large glass.
