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Know Your English (Mar 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of Adam's ale?


Most animals in this world drink Adam's ale. Any idea what it is? It's nothing but water! ``Adam's ale'' is a term humorously used to refer to water. You could say, ``Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of Adam's ale!'' By the way, did you know that many of the hard drinks that some of us are addicted to actually mean water? The word ``whisky'', for example, comes from a Gaelic word meaning ``water of life''. The French word ``eau-de-vie'' meaning brandy also means ``water of life''. Any idea what the Russian drink ``vodka'' means? It means ``little water''! If your boss or your father ever asks you whether you drink, you can look him straight in the eye and say, ``I have a little water once in a while!''

Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, March 06, 2001
Posted by Sridevi. V, M.A

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