I have a practical question.

**Anatoly** · 29-Jun-2003, 12:24

Hello, dear teachers and everybody
What do you usually say when you’re asking a waiter for some mineral water that DOESN’T contain bubbles of gas?
Thanks in advance.

**shane** · 29-Jun-2003, 13:11

I would usually ask for a STILL mineral water. :wink:

**Tdol** · 29-Jun-2003, 14:07

So would I. And sparkiling for mineral water with gas. Fizzy, I'd use for Coca Cola, etc.

**Anatoly** · 29-Jun-2003, 20:47

Thank you very much, Shane and Tdol!
So, it’s OK to say “still mineral water” in the UK. I didn’t know this phrase and used “mineral water without gas”. :)

**RonBee** · 29-Jun-2003, 21:39

Hey guys! What is the difference between mineral water and seltzer water? Is there is a difference? (Just thought I would ask.)

I had never heard of still mineral water before. Cool! :wink:

8)

**Tdol** · 02-Jul-2003, 23:49

We also have 'flat' for non-fizzy soft drinks. Seltzer water is medicinal, isn't it?

**shane** · 03-Jul-2003, 04:58

I'm not too familiar with "seltzer water", but I do know "Alka-seltzer" :wink:

**RonBee** · 03-Jul-2003, 12:02

I did a Google search, and I think I found the answer.

Strictly speaking, seltzer water (or just "seltzer") is a particular type of carbonated mineral water. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "an effervescent mineral water obtained near Nieder-Selters, containing sodium chloride and small quantities of sodium, calcium, and magnesium carbonates," or any artificial imitation of that formula. The name comes from the German "Selterser," or "from Seltser," the village in Germany where springs producing this water were located.

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?...eltzer%20water

So seltzer water is carbonated mineral water but just one kind of carbonated mineral water. Not all carbonated mineral water is seltzer water, but all seltzer water is carbonated mineral water. :)

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**RonBee** · 03-Jul-2003, 12:15

seltzer water

mineral water containing free carbon dioxide, obtained originally from springs at Niederselters, Germany. Reputed to have curative value in treating several diseases, it became very popular in the 19th cent. In the 20th cent. it was produced synthetically and, as soda water, is widely used as a beverage, often lightly flavored, as well as a component of other beverages.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2002 Columbia University Press

http://www.bartleby.com/65/se/seltzerw.html

According to U.S. government water sale guidelines, seltzer water is, in fact, "filtered, carbonated tap water".

Go to: http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?...eltzer%20water

8)

**Tdol** · 04-Jul-2003, 22:15

Well I never!

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