--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was something ghost-like and…" description: "\"“There was something ghost-like and insubstantial about gases to these early chemists. They called liquids that turned into gases easily, \"spirits.\" Me..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55f/isaac-asimov-309_alcohol_there-was-something-ghost-like-and-insub_284822.jpg" --- # There was something ghost-like and insubstantial about… ![“There was something ghost-like and insubstantial about gases to these early chemists. They called liquids that turned into gases easily, "spirits." Methyl alcohol, they called "wood spirit"; ethyl alcohol, "wine spirit." Even today, alcoholic beverages are frequently referred to as "spirits."…” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55f/isaac-asimov-309_alcohol_there-was-something-ghost-like-and-insub_284822.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55f/isaac-asimov-309_alcohol_there-was-something-ghost-like-and-insub_284822.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55f/isaac-asimov-309_alcohol_there-was-something-ghost-like-and-insub_284822.jpg) > ““There was something ghost-like and insubstantial about gases to these early chemists. They called liquids that turned into gases easily, "spirits." Methyl alcohol, they called "wood spirit"; ethyl alcohol, "wine spirit." Even today, alcoholic beverages are frequently referred to as "spirits." (Modern Arabs, from whose language the word "alcohol" was taken, call ethyl alcohol "spirit" from the English. This is a queer exchange.)”” [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early chemists viewed gases as ethereal, naming them “spirits,” a term that persists for alcohol today. **In simple terms:** Gases were called spirits, a name still used for alcohol. Key Takeaway Recognize how language evolves with science. Themes science language history chemistry Mood curious informative reflective Type educational historical When to use this quote - teaching chemistry - writing about science - explaining terminology Key Concepts etymology physical states cultural transmission Questions to Reflect On - How does terminology shape our perception of substances? - Why do some scientific terms persist in everyday language? 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