1. (noun) a long drink consisting of a spirit and a mixer such as soda, served with ice. 2. (noun - informal) a railway signal to proceed. 3. (verb - informal) travel fast
a spirit, liqueur or wine served in a long tumbler with ice and topped up with soda or ginger ale The glass also takes its name from the drink It is said to have originated in St Louis in the late 19th century based on the fact that on many railroads, a ball hoisted up on a pole was a signal to an approaching train driver that he should speed up Subsequently, it has come to mean a speedily made drink