Skip to main content
Dictionary
Store
Blog
World
Help
Advertise
Chat
System Status
Information Collection Notice
Trademark Concerns
reCAPTCHA Privacy
Terms of Service
reCAPTCHA Terms
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Report a Bug
Data Request
Contact Us
Security
DMCA
© 1999–2026 Urban Dictionary ®
Mugs
Tees
Hoodies
Pro Customization
Create unique products with your own words and definitions
Preview
Personalize Your Design
Your Word
Your Definition
Old folks from the country, generally in the south, use to say on nights where there was mist/fog over a swamp, pond, river or lake that the devil was raising hell under water. The saying "there is going to be smoke on the water tonight" came from that and means something is about to go down or someone is getting ready to raise hell. The saying predates the rock song by deep purples but I doubt they intended that meaning in their song. I believe their song is about a fire at a hotel.
Text fits
Save
Cancel