a stream of vitriol

Origin

The phrase's power lies in the potent metaphor of "vitriol," a term originally referring to various sulfates, most famously sulfuric acid. Ancient alchemists, marveling at its corrosive properties, understood its capacity to burn, dissolve, and destroy. From these literal, searing reactions, "vitriol" seamlessly transitioned into the English lexicon as a descriptor for language that is equally caustic, bitter, and destructive—words designed to sting and scar. The addition of "a stream of" then amplifies this image, conjuring not just an isolated burst, but an unceasing, relentless flow of such venomous criticism, washing over its target with overwhelming, corrosive force.