proverb · Words worth keeping
Good ale is meat, drink, and cloth.
Good ale is meat, drink, and cloth.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying praises good ale as food, drink and clothing at once. Its extravagant list imagines one comfort supplying several kinds of provision.
Example
A reader distinguishes enthusiastic praise of a favourite comfort from a complete account of practical needs.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Meat, drink and cloth expand the drink’s role beyond its literal category. A careful interpretation can recognise exaggerated praise without claiming that ale replaces meals or clothing or supplies complete wellbeing. The useful wider question is what one valued resource actually provides, and which needs remain outside it.
When to use it
Use it to examine an exaggerated claim of all-purpose provision.
Keep in mind
The praise is not a verified nutritional or health benefit of alcohol.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English