Pissing the night away

One-hit wonder Chumbawamba made “pissing the night away” popular with their song “I get knocked down” in 1997. A rallying cry for good drunks everywhere, the song used the word “pissing” with a dual meaning. They referred to the act of urination (caused by drinking too much) and the more British definition of “piss” (meaning an alcoholic beverage of poor quality).

The word “piss” is still considered offensive by some, but not many of the population. Along with these two meanings, it can also refer to urine itself or the act of discharging some substance (such as blood) in the urine.

Originating in the 14th Century, the word is derived from the Middle English "pissen" from Anglo-French "pisser", from Vulgar Latin "pissiare".