Vinegar Means Sour Wine
Vinegar is a sour liquid made by fermenting alcohol. The French name says exactly what it is, and the process happens whether you want it or not.
Vinegar is a dilute acetic acid solution made by letting bacteria ferment alcohol. The French name is a description: *vin aigre*, sour wine. Wine left exposed to air will do it by itself, which is why the discovery required no invention — only a barrel left open too long.
- A sour liquid from fermented alcohol. *A splash of vinegar.*
- Vinegar as a modifier. *Vinegar dressing.*
- Sharpness in manner. *A voice full of vinegar.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | vinegar | Malt vinegar. |
| Plural | vinegars | Flavoured vinegars. |
| Adjective | vinegary | A vinegary taste. |
| Related | acetic acid | Five per cent acetic acid. |
| Related | mother | The vinegar mother. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Chips need malt vinegar.A British position, firmly held.
- The mother is the culture that makes it.A film of bacteria and cellulose.
- Balsamic is aged for years.Traditional balsamic, at least.
Kinds of vinegar
- Malt — from ale, dark and strong, British
- Wine — red or white, from wine
- Cider — from apples
- Rice — mild, used across East Asia
- Balsamic — from cooked grape must, aged in wooden casks
From Old French *vyn egre*, from *vin*, wine, and *egre*, sour, from Latin *acer*, sharp — the same root as *acid*, *acute* and *eager*.
What is the mother of vinegar?
A cellulose film formed by the bacteria that convert alcohol to acetic acid. It is harmless and can be used to start a new batch.
Are vinegar and eager related?
Yes. Both go back to Latin *acer*, sharp. Eager once meant keen in the sense of sharp.