I hear the term "walking on eggshells" a lot, but I seem to remember hearing "walking on eggs" used a lot in the past. The latter makes more sense to me, as it connotes you have to tiptoe around carefully. There is no corresponding need to tiptoe around on egg shells, as they are already broken.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
2006-07-21 06:12:23 · 10 answers · asked by dderat 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
It's not the act of walking around them that matters in this saying .It's attempting to walk on them so gingerly as not to break any more .As you might be able to tell, this feat would be almost impossible.
2006-07-21 06:19:41 · answer #1 · answered by Randy B 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Because it's referring to the fact that if you do not tip-toe around broken egg shells, *your* feet are going to get hurt. It's not about breaking the egg. In an abusive relationship, some women find they have to "walk on eggshells" around their abusive partner, because if they slip up even a little, they are the ones (their feet) who are going to be hurt.
2006-07-21 06:18:23 · answer #2 · answered by punchy333 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had never heard the expression as just "walking on eggs". I had always heard it as "walking on eggshells". But you are right, "walking on eggs" does make a lot more sense when you think of it that way!
2006-07-21 06:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by Selkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To try very hard not to upset someone or something.
I think walking on thin ice is more appropriate.
"A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a satisfied smile on its face and the egg is frowning and looking put out. The egg mutters to no one in particular, "I guess we answered that question."
2006-07-21 06:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's walking on eggshells.
2006-07-21 06:15:45 · answer #5 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
walking on egg shells
2006-07-21 09:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
walking on eggshells
2006-07-21 06:17:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Worst music to get stuck on your head. I watched the video SOOO a lot that I surely have the completed freakin dance memorized! i do not even like woman Gaga that a lot! Je veux ton amour/Et je veux ta revenge/Je veux ton amour/I don’t wanna be friends/(favor your undesirable romance/i favor your undesirable romance)/favor your undesirable romance! ^^^That section continuously receives stuck in my head^^^ *keeps to sing "Je veux ton amour/Et je veux ta revenge/Je veux ton amour/I don’t wanna be friends"*
2016-10-15 01:20:49 · answer #8 · answered by keys 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As in be quiet,don't wake the sleeping giant!
2006-07-21 06:16:35 · answer #9 · answered by K9 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when they are already broke you can still hurt yourself especially if you are trying not to make noise or if you are barefoot . or trying to sneak in after curfew
2006-07-21 06:17:00 · answer #10 · answered by omahapamela 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋