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)
- (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.
- 1643, William Prynne, The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes
Synonyms
- Adam's wine
References
- “Adam’s ale” in Gary Martin, The Phrase Finder, 1997–, retrieved 26 February 2017.
Anagrams
- alamedas, salaamed