ale

Where does the word "ale" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic alu, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Ale’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: alu meant “ale.” 'alu' appears as a charm word on early runic inscriptions. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as ealu. Anglo-Saxon ale was brewed without hops. It reached English by 1500s as ale. Hopped 'beer' arrived from the Low Countries in the 1400s, and 'ale' came to mean a particular style. Today, ale means a type of beer.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient alu "ale", 'alu' appears as a charm word on early runic inscriptions.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s ealu "ale", Anglo-Saxon ale was brewed without hops.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s ale "ale", hopped 'beer' arrived from the Low Countries in the 1400s, and 'ale' came to mean a particular style.