cold without

English

Etymology

Ellipsis of cold water, without sugar.

Noun

cold without (uncountable)

1. (colloquial) Brandy with cold water and no sugar.
   • 1850 June 15, Samuel Hickson, “[Notes.] Further Notes on Derivation of the Word ‘News.’”, in Notes and Queries: A Medium of Inter-Communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, Etc., volume II, number 36 (6 July 1850), London: George Bell, […], published 1851, page 82, column 1:

     If A. E. B. should assert that a glass of “cold without,” because, by those accustomed to indulge in such potations, it was understood to mean “brandy and cold water, without sugar,” was really a draught from some “well of purest English undefil’d,” the confusion of ideas could not be more complete.