AmeriQua

AmeriQua is a portmanteau of "American" and "acqua" (Italian for water), used, often pejoratively, to describe the act of diluting espresso with hot water. It is essentially a long black, but the term carries a connotation of being a cheap or inferior imitation of a true Americano. The term is often used by coffee enthusiasts and baristas to express disdain for the practice of serving weak or overly watery espresso drinks, particularly in contexts where a higher quality or stronger espresso is expected. The term is not universally recognized and can be considered slang or jargon within the coffee community. The perceived negative connotation is derived from the implication that an AmeriQua is an Americanized, and therefore degraded, version of a more authentic or refined espresso beverage.