hotwash

English

Alternative forms

• hot wash

Etymology

hot +‎ wash. Some sources say this refers to the practice by some soldiers of dousing their weapons in extremely hot water as a means of removing grit and residue after firing. Others interpret "hot" as referring to immediacy (not temperature), and "wash" to be used metaphorically (compare come out in the wash).

Noun

hotwash (plural hotwashes)

1. Discussions and evaluations of an agency's (or multiple agencies') performance following an exercise, training session, or major event.

Usage notes

This term originated in the military, and was later adopted more widely.