Nappy Ale
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Strong ale has been so called for many centuries, probably because it contains a nap or frothy head.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Nappy Ale” mean?
Strong ale has been so called for many centuries, probably because it contains a nap or frothy head.
Is “Nappy Ale” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.