Adam's ale

English

Etymology

Attested 1643.[1] Reference to the only drink available to Adam, the first man in the biblical tradition, while in Eden.

Noun

Adam's ale (uncountable)

  1. (archaic, humorous) Water.
    • 1643, William Prynne, The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes
      They have beene shut up in prisons and dungeons […] allowed onely a poore pittance of Adams Ale, and scarce a penny bread a day to support their lives.

Synonyms

References
  1. “Adam’s ale” in Gary Martin, The Phrase Finder, 1997–, retrieved 26 February 2017.

Anagrams
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