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long drink of water en · NOUN

The term originated in the United States, and was presumably used in vaudeville performances. It was derived from earlier Scots lang drink.

(Scotland, US, slang) A tall person.
- Other acts will include Klein, Abe and Nicholson, “the fat bellboy, the corpulent Scot and ‘the long drink of water,’” in a comedy of melody. 1915 August 1, “Photoplays, Vaudeville and outdoor amusements”, in The Washington Post, page 3, column 1:
- Mr. [David] Kirkwood [Independent Labour Party member] addressed his reproof to Lord Winterton [Edward Turnour, 6th Earl Winterton], who, along with his colleagues, had protested against the defiance of the speaker's ruling. "Ye are not treating with Indians, ye big long drink of water," he shouted. Immediately the Speaker reproved the member for Dumbarton. 1924 May 10, “The Speaker defied”, in The Times, London, page 12:
- Stair had grown up into a great lang drink, and would faukled, as Robin Cummell said, if he fell. [1887, John Service, chapter XVI, in The Life and Recollections of Doctor Duguid of Kilwinning. Written by Himself, and Now First Printed from the Recovered Manuscript, Edinburgh: Young J. Pentland, →OCLC, page 103:

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
long drinks of water	Number=Plur		lexicographic
tall drink of water		alternative	lexicographic