Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.13036
Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.13036
- Language
- English
c10.13036
**SAMSHOO**, s. A kind of ardent spirit made in China from rice. Mr. Baber doubts this being Chinese; but according to Wells Williams the name is *san-shao*, ‘thrice fired’ (*Guide*, 220). ‘Distilled liquor’ is *shao-siu*, ‘fired liquor.’ Compare Germ. *Brantwein*, and XXX beer. Strabo says: ‘Wine = ‘three boards,’ and this is possible. The Indians drink not except when sacrificing, and that is made of ‘rice in lieu of barley’” (xv. c. i. § 53).