The word "dipso" is spelled as /ˈdɪpsoʊ/. The IPA phonetic transcription reveals that the word starts with a voiced dental fricative sound /ð/. The following sound is a short /ɪ/ vowel sound, followed by a voiceless bilabial plosive sound /p/. The next sound is an unrounded open-mid back vowel sound /ɒ/. Finally, the word ends with a voiced alveolar fricative sound /z/ and a long o sound /oʊ/. In English, "dipso" means a habitual drinker or alcoholic.
Dipso is a slang term used to refer to a person who is addicted to or excessively loves drinking alcohol. The word is derived from the noun "dipsomania," which is a psychological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to drink alcohol. A dipso is someone who often engages in heavy drinking, displaying a pattern of excessive consumption beyond what is considered normal or healthy.
Typically, a dipso demonstrates a relentless and persistent desire for alcohol, frequently neglecting personal and social responsibilities due to their addiction. They may experience withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is not available, leading to a compulsive and repeated need for alcohol consumption. Their drinking habits may escalate to a level where it negatively impacts their physical health, relationships, and overall well-being.
The social stigma associated with the term "dipso" emphasizes the negative aspects of excessive alcohol consumption, highlighting the harm it can cause to oneself and others. It is important to note that "dipso" is considered an informal term and may not be used in professional or clinical settings. Instead, healthcare professionals may use more specific and diagnostic terms like alcohol use disorder or alcoholism to describe someone with an unhealthy and problematic relationship with alcohol.
The word "dipso" is a slang term that originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It is derived from the word "dipsomaniac", which refers to a person who has an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic drinks.
The term "dipsomaniac" is made up of two components: "dipso" and "maniac". "Dipso" is derived from the Greek word "dipsa", meaning "thirst", while "maniac" comes from the Greek word "mania", meaning "madness" or "insanity". Therefore, "dipsomaniac" literally translates to "madness for thirst" or "insanity for alcohol".