O kilku polskich nazwach alkoholu

In the article three Polish names of alcohol were studied: wódka (vodka), gorzałka (booze) and likwor (liqueur). The author focuses on the processes leading to the emergence of their modern senses; and particularly on the semantic extension and narrowing of the senses of the lexemes. In a diachronic perspective, the lexemes have often been used interchangeably. The author argues that this fact calls for a critical review of some former studies of words’ etymologies and semantic changes. According to the author, more accuracy in etymological and semantic research helps avoid mistakes in interpreting old texts.