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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSo, about pigs flying...is that the entire common saying?
There's a Geico commercial with a pig on an airplane and an attendant says "I'll believe that when pigs fly" Okay, amusing enough and I understand why they didn't use the phrase I'm more familiar with, "when pigs fly out of my ass" but when discussing this with Ms. Spike89, she thinks the "out of my ass" part is an embellishment rather than the entire original saying.
So, is the original saying the shorter version or has the longer version been "sanitized" for common use?
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So, about pigs flying...is that the entire common saying? (Original Post)
Spike89
Jan 2013
OP
Ptah
(33,024 posts)1. Well, wikipedia says:
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.
"I've a right to think," said Alice sharply, for she was beginning to feel a little worried.
"Just about as much right," said the Duchess, "as pigs have to fly...." Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 9.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_pig
"Thinking again?" the Duchess asked, with another dig of her sharp little chin.
"I've a right to think," said Alice sharply, for she was beginning to feel a little worried.
"Just about as much right," said the Duchess, "as pigs have to fly...." Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 9.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_pig
Spike89
(1,569 posts)3. OK, that seems to be the answer, thanks!
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)2. I've always heard "when pigs fly".
With nothing added to that.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)4. "(And) pigs might fly" is another variation. nt
retread
(3,762 posts)5. I think there is another common saying that includes a point of origin.
nuxvomica
(12,421 posts)6. You're thinking monkeys
It's monkeys that fly out of your ass, not pigs. Just ask the Wicked Witch of the West.