washing sherry

English

Etymology

Alteration of the more neutral cooking sherry

Noun

washing sherry (uncountable)

1. (humorous, derogatory) Cheap, inferior sherry.
   • 1945, Dylan Thomas, Quite Early One Morning:

     A couple of literary luncheons went sugar-tipsy to their heads, like the washing sherry served before those luncheons […]

   • 1971, Philip Larkin, Vers de Société:

     I could spend half my evenings, if I wanted, / Holding a glass of washing sherry, canted / Over to catch the drivel of some bitch / Who's read nothing but Which […]