Alkies

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈæl.kiz/

Definitions

1. A colloquial term for individuals who frequently consume alcoholic beverages, often associated with heavy drinking habits
2. A slang term denoting people who might struggle with alcohol dependence and its social implications
3. Informally referring to those who indulge in drinking to excess, sometimes leading to discussions about alcohol-related issues

Etymology: "Alkies" is the plural of "alkie," a colloquial noun for a heavy drinker. The base word is "alcoholic," which has been clipped to "alk" and given the diminutive or familiar ending "-ie," a suffix common in informal British and Australian English for nicknames and affectionate forms. The earliest recorded use of "alkie" appears around 1844 in the Akron Ohio Buzzard, a periodical that has since ceased publication. Its appearance that early is notable because "alcoholic" itself was still a comparatively new formation at the time, so the clipped colloquial form arrived almost as soon as the full word was in circulation.