Humorous name for water, as the only drink of our first parents. (See also ADAM 2.)
1643. Prynne, Sov. Power of Parl., II. 32. 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.
a. 1845. Hood, Drinking Song., iv. We’ll drink Adam’s ale, and we get it pool measure.
