flat sour

noun

1. fermentation occurring in canned foods after sealing.
2. canned food so fermented.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flat sour¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

I should think it might be a little vexatious, as when a weary, weary traveller is offered a glass of flat, sour beer,--and Uncle Br�sig looked a little sour, this morning,--which he may not refuse; but then comes the love of life, dear, human life, and a wife, with a child on her arm, pours him a glass of cool, fresh wine, and he drains the glass: "So! now tell me what has happened."

From Project Gutenberg

We weren't sure that it was flat sour, but we haven't had the bacteria check to find out whether it was caused by one of the thermophilic bacteria or not, but we are pretty confident that it was a flat sour that caused the foul odor.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Harris suggested that probably that was a flat sour.

From Project Gutenberg

You need not be at all alarmed about eating either "flat sour" or botulinus, because the odor from spoiled goods is so distasteful—it really resembles rancid cheese—that you would never get a spoon of it to your mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

This is what we call "flat sour."

From Project Gutenberg