Definition of slush

The word "slush" originated in the 17th century, and it originally referred to something that was melted, as opposed to solid. This term was commonly used in the context of snow or ice that had melted due to the warmth of the sun or intensive foot traffic. The word "slush" can be traced back to the Old English word "sluiθe", which means "slop" or "liquid mud". This word, in turn, is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "sluþr", which denoted a similar concept. In the mid-18th century, "slush" came to be more specifically associated with melted snow or ice, as the growing abundance of horse-drawn carriages and immaculate sidewalks made it a major concern for maintaining cleanliness in urban environments. Today, we commonly use "slush" to describe a drink that is made by blending ice, water, and flavored syrup, although in some regions it also refers to a slushy snow-ice mixture found on the ground.