What is the common name for methanol?

Methanol is commonly known as wood alcohol because historically, it was derived from the destructive distillation of wood. In this process, organic materials are heated in the absence of air, resulting in the breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose to produce methanol, which was one of the byproducts. This name highlights the natural origin of methanol before its synthetic production became prevalent.

The other options are names for different substances. Rubbing alcohol typically refers to isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid is known as vinegar, and glycerol is a simple polyol compound used in various applications. Understanding these distinctions further clarifies why "wood alcohol" is the appropriate common name for methanol.