No more tap dancing around it
In light of Sheryl's entry below: It wasn't long ago that local restaurants refused to use the words "tap water." They'd say "Would you like sparkling, still, or iced?" Or "Can I offer you bottled water or...," leaving the tap alternative hanging as if drinking from the sink were something to be ashamed of.
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It got to the point where I told a friend I'd give 20 bucks to the first server who offered me "tap water" in so many words. It happened in September 2007 at Trattoria di Monica in the North End. The waitress was very young and sweet, and when I told her I was giving her $20, she actually seemed excited.
Since then, I've been hearing the words "tap water" increasingly. More restaurants are getting rid of bottled water, many installing their own filtration systems and making sparkling water in house. As a green sensibility spreads, ordering many expensive bottles of water has less cachet, and offering tap has more. It's no longer unusual to be asked if you'd like "tap water."
In fact, many servers are offering it with pride. I've heard "Bay Village's finest," "eau de Cambridge," "the Boston 2008" (drinking verrry well right now, I must say), and more.
Have you noticed more people offering tap water? Heard any good euphemisms?
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At Arrows they call it "house water"!
I have heard quite a few tap water euphemisms at restaurants in Boston:
"House water" (almost sounds like it is not tap, think "house wine")
"Regular water" (renders bottled water an upsell)
"Non-bottled water" (a bit tortured -- did it come from a tank in the back?)
And at a certain Chinese restaurant near South Station:
"Free water?" (said incredulously, designed to shame you into another choice)
I have a friend who always orders Quabbin Water when he's in a restaurant to see if the server picks up or understands what he means.
Better yet, a Quabbin cocktail!
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