The most common origin for the term “spirit” appears to be an Arabic word - al-ghawl. This term appears in the Qur’an. Verse 37:47 of the Muslim holy scriptures mention the word, referring to either demons or spirits that produce intoxication. It is thought that “alcohol” is a corruption of the original Arabic term that maintains its link to the idea of spirits. Both “alcohol” and “spirit” began to be used in English to describe alcoholic drinks in the 16th Century.