Sweetwater

/ˈswiːtwɔːtər/ noun

Definition

Fresh water that is not salty, such as water from rivers and lakes, as opposed to ocean water.

Etymology

Compound of 'sweet' (Old English 'swete') and 'water' (Old English 'wæter'). Used historically to distinguish fresh water from salt water.

Kelly Says

Sweetwater can also refer to several towns and geographical features across North America, and historically it was a crucial distinction because sailors needed freshwater to survive long ocean voyages!

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