British, informal. —used as a response to something that seems unlikely to happen “This time I think he'll ask me to marry him!” “ Yeah, and pigs might fly. “
What does the saying pigs might fly mean?
British, informal. —used as a response to something that seems unlikely to happen “This time I think he'll ask me to marry him!” “ Yeah, and pigs might fly. “
Where does the expression when pigs fly come from?
The idiom is apparently derived from a centuries-old Scottish proverb , though some other references to pigs flying or pigs with wings are more famous. At least one appears in the works of Lewis Carroll: “Thinking again?” the Duchess asked, with another dig of her sharp little chin.
Who invented the saying when pigs fly?
They may be right. John Withals ‘ 1616 English-Latin dictionary lists the proverb “pigs fly with their tails forward.” That similar phrase was apparently used back then as a clever reply to people who made overly-optimistic statements. There are also those who believe the phrase may have gotten its start in America.
Is when pigs fly an idiom?
Idiom meaning: when pigs fly
Pigs don't have wings so they can't fly . ... We use this phrase to say that something is never going to happen. It's sometimes also used to describe things that have a very small chance of happening. Frequently, it's used to respond in disbelief to another person's statement or question.
Can pigs fly in real life?
Yes, pigs really can fly .
Why is Pink Floyd the pig?
In the album's three parts, “Dogs”, “Pigs” and “Sheep”, pigs represent the people whom Roger Waters considers to be at the top of the social ladder, the ones with wealth and power; they also manipulate the rest of society and encourage them to be viciously competitive and cut-throat, so the pigs can remain powerful .
What does a pig with wings mean?
when pigs have wings
At a point in time that will never come to pass . (Used to show skepticism or cynicism over some hypothetical situation or outcome.)
Can pigs fly in Minecraft?
Pigs can't quite fly in Minecraft , but players can ride and control them with a saddle and a carrot on a stick.
Are pigs omnivorous?
The pig, like a person, is an omnivore . They'll eat corn in a field, they'll eat garbage on city streets, your kitchen waste or acorns in forests, even seashells on beaches. They're also self-sufficient.
Can pigs eat humans?
And when they're not either squealing or talking, pigs will eat almost anything – including human bones . In 2012, a farmer in Oregon, America, was eaten by his pigs after having a heart attack and falling into their enclosure.
Can pigs fly with wings?
We've all heard or even used the old saying to describe something impossible, “If pigs had wings, they'd fly.” Now, thanks to genetic modification, pigs can fly.
What is the meaning of idiom once in a blue moon?
Once in a blue moon: This poetic phrase refers to something extremely rare in occurrence . A blue moon is the term commonly used for a second full moon that occasionally appears in a single month of our solar-based calendars.
What does Foot in Mouth mean?
Say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless . For example, Jane put her foot in her mouth when she called him by her first husband's name. This notion is sometimes put as having foot-in-mouth disease, as in He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease, always making some tactless remark.
What does the idiom cost an arm and leg mean?
Definition of cost an arm and a leg
informal. : to be too expensive I want a new car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
What does zip your lip mean?
US, informal. : to stop talking immediately Tell your sister to zip her lip !
