Why is alcohol sometimes referred to as 'Spirits'?
by 
Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger
ANSWERS: 5
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according to www.etymonline.com and www.word-detective.com this use of spirits derives from medieval alchemy. The alchemists believed that the volatile essences (what they called spirits)of a substance can be distilled. The liquid distillation were the spirits of the substance. Of course this is my less-than-detailed paraphrase of their answers but it should suffice for a start :)
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I'm just guessing...alcohol can either lift your spirits or crush them depending upon what else is going on in your life. Happy Saturday Ed! :) ((hugs))
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Because of the fumes that come off it and the fact that the alcohol will evaporate from the liquid if left uncapped/bottled. It disappears like an unseen spirit!! :):)
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Spirit means essence. Distilled wine was the first of spirits which made its fame as an alcoholic beverage. The brandy or cognac or whatever was produced by this method of distillation was the essence of the wine ie the spirit of the wine. This could be one reason. . Also as alcohol is capable of bringing the spirits lying deep within people. This could be the second reason.
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because it will raise your spirits
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