cocktail



atomic cocktail

1. In medicine, a liquid solution that contains one or more radioactive elements, which is swallowed orally and used in the diagnosis and/or treatment of disorders, especially cancer and diseases of the thyroid. We are just going to administer a sort of atomic cocktail to track the disease's progress. That way, we can better gauge what course of action to take.
2. An alcoholic drink composed of vodka, brandy, champagne, and sherry. Created in Las Vegas, Nevada, and named after the nuclear tests conducted in the state during the 1950s. Barkeep, I want something that will knock my socks off. Fix me an atomic cocktail!
See also: atomic, cocktail

Molotov cocktail

1. A makeshift bomb, usually consisting of a gasoline-filled bottle and a wick, that is ignited before it is thrown at a target. The riot police moved in after the demonstrators started throwing Molotov cocktails.
2. By extension, something that has an explosive or otherwise negative impact on a person or situation. If you say anything negative about school board, it will be a real Molotov cocktail at this dinner party, believe me! His arrest was the Molotov cocktail that brought the whole scandal to light.
See also: cocktail

prawn cocktail offensive

The (often derisive) name used for politicians' efforts to gain financial support while attending a social event (where prawn cocktails are traditionally served). Primarily heard in UK. I don't want to go to this dinner party—it's just going to become another prawn cocktail offensive, and I'm sick of people asking me for money!

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
D'artagnan-Literature
Daud-Indonesian, Arabic
GÜNay-Turkish, Azerbaijani
Gjurd-Norwegian (Rare)
Germaine-French
Orlagh-Irish