Mainly used to mean that a man's lust can be satisfied by any woman, however loose or ugly.
As this prouerbe saieth, for quenchyng hot desire, Foul water as soone as fayre, wyl quenche hot fire.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs i. v. B2]
That I have made use‥of the British Corporal for a good purpose, I have little doubt—Dirty water will quench fire.
[1796 Cobbett Political Censor Sept. 62]
It's flocks and straw for us. ‥Well, dirty water's good enough to quench a fire with.
[1945 O. Onions Ragged Robin vi.]
She had the thick ugly feet of a streetwalker. ‥‘How could anyone go with her?’ Dewi shrugged. ‘They do say dirty water puts out fire just as well.’
[1995 A. G. Taylor Simeon's Bride xxvi. 173]
Related to: necessity; ways and means
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
