Puzzle #473 · September 17, 2026
bottled water
Featured
Every day one two-word expression or compound word used in American English.
Bottled water is drinking water packaged in plastic or glass bottles for sale. It's one of the most successful—and controversial—consumer products of the past 40 years. Americans spend over $30 billion annually on bottled water, much of which is simply filtered tap water.
The industry took off in the 1990s through brilliant marketing that associated bottled water with health, purity, and an active lifestyle. Critics point out that tap water in most American cities is safe and heavily regulated, while bottled water creates massive plastic waste. Environmental advocates call it one of the greatest marketing scams in history. Proponents note it's essential in areas with unsafe tap water.
The industry took off in the 1990s through brilliant marketing that associated bottled water with health, purity, and an active lifestyle. Critics point out that tap water in most American cities is safe and heavily regulated, while bottled water creates massive plastic waste. Environmental advocates call it one of the greatest marketing scams in history. Proponents note it's essential in areas with unsafe tap water.
Puzzle Appearances
The expression bottled water has appeared in 1 puzzle:
- Puzzle #473 on September 17, 2026
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.
Explore More Expressions
Everyday the Wordcels Puzzle has a featured expression showing meaning, history and connection to culture. Explore them all.
The Wordcels Puzzle
Think you've mastered Americanisms? The two-word phrases, compound words and idiomatic expressions of American English? Each day the Wordcels Puzzle provides 15 words that must be arranged to form 16 expressions. Give it a try.
