water oats

noun

1. wild rice.

Word History and Origins

Origin of water oats¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

But even if your porridge is made with water, oats are a good source of manganese, phosphorous and zinc, as it is.

From Salon

A number of horsemen and horsewomen, families such as Arthur Hancock’s, have been campaigning for a zero medication tolerance and a return to water, oats and hay.

From Washington Post

In a small saucepan, combine the milk, water, oats, oat bran, salt and cinnamon and heat over medium-high heat.

From Seattle Times

It is the wild rice, “the water oats,” the food of millions of winged creatures, and thousands of human beings as well.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, Mayer, working in Holland, found that, in a soil containing throughout the season 10 per cent of water, oats was produced containing 10.6 per cent of protein; in soil containing 30 per cent of water, the protein percentage was only 5.6 per cent, and in soil containing 70 per cent of water, it was only 5.2 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg