The term originated in the late 1800s as a shortened version of “Hoochinoo,” a distilled beverage from Alaska that became popular during the Klondike gold rush. The phrase came back into heavy use in the 1920s. “Giggle Water” was one of many slang terms for liquor during Prohibition.
What was Giggle Water in the 1920s?
Giggle water was slang for spirits served on ice in the 1920s. It referred to alcohol, which was prohibited then. There were few new drink recipes. To create a new drink, people found an old one, shared it, and gave it a code name. Many tried to distill gin secretly. Some also copied non-alcoholic recipes that resembled banned drinks.
Alcohol Slang in the 1920s
American prohibition influenced 1920s alcohol slang like “moonshine,” “hooch” or “giggle water.” However, terms like “booze” or “liquor” remained common, as did “sauce” and “juice.” With illegal alcohol, slang vocabulary grew.
As its name suggests, giggle water may have made drinkers laugh out loud. It may have contained a colorless "chortle extract." Again, creative names hid outlawed liquor. “Giggle water” was one of the more charming ones.