subs. (common).—1. Malt liquor; specifically porter and stout. Also HEAVY. For synonyms, see DRINKS and SWIPES.
1821. P. EGAN, Tom and Jerry, p. 75. The soldiers and their companions were seen tossing off the HEAVY WET and spirits.
1830. BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch. vii. I had been lushing HEAVY WET.
1838. JAS. GRANT, Sketches in London, ch. iii., p. 92. If it be HEAVY-WET, the favourite beverage … of Dr. Wade.
1849. C. KINGSLEY, Alton Locke, ch. ii. Here comes the HEAVY. Hand it here to take the taste of that fellow’s talk out of my mouth.
1848. E. Z. C. JUDSON (‘Ned Buntline’), The Mysteries and Miseries of New York, bk. II., ch. x. What’ll it be, my covies? HEAVY WET, cold or warm?
1888. J. RUNCIMAN, The Chequers, p. 86. Mother, up with your HEAVY WET, and try suthin’ short.
2. (common).—An extraordinarily heavy drinking bout.
