Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.
Stale
Stale as the hot rolls dug out of Pompeii.
—Anonymous
Stale as old beer.
—Anonymous
Stale as a black velvet cloak.
—Beaumont and Fletcher
Unspeakably stale
Like vats in desuetude shrunk.
—John Davidson
Stale as custom.
—Sir Thomas More (Pseudo-Shakespearean)
Stale as sea-beef.
—Thomas Nash