of the first water

O

of the first water (idiom)
/ʌv ðə fɜːst ˈwɔːtə/

The idiom “of the first water” denotes something or someone of the highest quality or excellence, often applied to personal attributes, achievements, or objects.

Meanings

• Something of the highest quality or excellence.
• A person or trait that is pure, genuine, or perfect in its kind.
• (Literal, historical) A diamond or gemstone of the finest clarity.

Synonyms: first-rate; top-notch; excellent; pure; supreme.

Example Sentences

1. Her honesty is of the first water, admired by everyone around her.
2. The pianist’s talent was of the first water, leaving the audience spellbound.
3. The jeweler displayed a diamond of the first water, flawless and radiant. (literal)

Origin and History

The expression has permeated English literature and everyday language since the early nineteenth century, evoking images of purity and superiority. Its metaphorical usage draws from a literal evaluation system in the gemstone trade, particularly for diamonds, where clarity and luster were paramount. Over time, the phrase has transcended its origins to symbolize unblemished perfection in various contexts, from social standing to artistic merit.

Etymological Roots and Primary Theory

The etymology of “of the first water” is firmly rooted in the historical assessment of diamonds in the European gem trade. Diamonds were graded based on their translucence and brilliance, likened to the clarity of water—the clearer the stone, the higher its rank. The term “first water” specifically referred to the purest grade, evoking the unclouded transparency of the finest water droplet. This analogy emerged in the seventeenth century, with William Shakespeare alluding to “diamonds of a most praisèd water” in his play Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1607), suggesting an established comparison between gem quality and aqueous purity. The primary theory posits that the phrase arose directly from this technical lexicon, where “water” symbolized optical perfection without color or flaw.

Alternative Beliefs and Folk Etymologies

While the gem-trade origin dominates scholarly consensus, alternative beliefs occasionally surface, often as folk etymologies. One persistent notion claims that diamonds were physically tested for quality by immersion in water; stones retaining their luster underwater were deemed “of the first water.” This idea, popularized in some eighteenth- and nineteenth-century accounts, likely stems from a misunderstanding of the clarity metaphor rather than actual practice. Historical records, including encyclopedic definitions, emphasize visual assessment over submersion, rendering this theory unsubstantiated. No evidence supports origins outside the jewelry domain, such as nautical or alchemical contexts, despite occasional speculative links to water’s symbolic purity in broader cultural lore.

Historical Evolution of the Idiom

The history of “of the first water” traces a progression from specialized jargon to widespread figurative expression. By the mid-eighteenth century, the literal term “first water” appeared in reference to diamonds, as documented in Ephraim Chambers’s Cyclopaedia (1753 edition), which described it as the “greatest purity and perfection of their complexion, which ought to be that of the clearest drop of water.” This technical usage laid the groundwork for idiomatic extension.

In the early nineteenth century, the phrase began denoting human excellence, reflecting Enlightenment-era values of refinement and moral clarity. Its adoption in literature marked a shift toward social commentary, where it critiqued or praised character amid rising class consciousness in Britain. By the Victorian era, it had become a staple in novels and essays, enduring into modern usage with undiminished metaphorical potency.

Country of Origin

The phrase “of the first water” originated in England, within the context of the Anglo-European diamond trade that flourished in the eighteenth century. London’s gem markets and the influence of British encyclopedias, such as Chambers’s Cyclopaedia—compiled by Scottish but published in English intellectual circles—solidified its place in the language.

Shakespeare’s earlier allusion in Pericles further anchors it in English literary tradition. Although Anglo-Irish writer Maria Edgeworth contributed to its idiomatic popularization, the core development occurred in England, where the idiom’s gemological roots intertwined with the nation’s burgeoning luxury trade and literary output. No compelling evidence points to continental European precedence, despite shared jewelry practices.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest printed record of the idiomatic phrase, denoting superior quality beyond gems, appears in Maria Edgeworth’s Tales and Novels (1804). In the story “The Dun,” Edgeworth writes: “Mr. P is a gentleman of the first water,” employing the expression to describe refined social standing. This usage predates other known literary instances and marks the phrase’s figurative emergence around this period, with later examples appearing in Theodore Hook’s works in the 1820s. For the literal gem term, sources trace “first water” to Chambers’s Cyclopaedia (1753):

“The first water in Diamonds means the greatest purity and perfection of their complexion, which ought to be that of the clearest drop of water.”

Edgeworth’s 1804 quotation thus marks the pivotal transition to broader idiomatic application.

Variants

• of the purest water
• of the highest water (less common)
• first water (used alone)

Quality, Water