where was the phrase "when pigs can fly" derived from?

Answer 1

There are lots of variations on sayings associated with the idea of pigs flying, as an example of something obviously nonsensical or of some event that is extremely unlikely to occur.

We have to go back a long way to find the original of this idea. It seems to have been a traditional Scottish proverb, which was first written down in 1586 in an edition of John Withal’s English-Latin dictionary for children. This had an appendix of proverbs rendered into Latin, of which one was the usual form of the proverb in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: “pigs fly in the air with their tails forward”. If they did indeed fly, the proverb argues, flying backwards would seem a small extra feat.

Another version is more famous, because it appears in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: “I’ve a right to think,” said Alice sharply... “Just about as much right,” said the Duchess, “as pigs have to fly.” Other forms that have appeared at various times include and pigs could fly if they had wings, and pigs may fly, but they are very unlikely birds.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

It derives from the fact that full-grown pigs are heavy, which works against them gaining altitude. Secondly, unlike birds and flying insects, pigs do not have wings. These two factors combine to leverage the unlikeliness of pigs flying to make a point.

Answer 3

A farmers daughter asked to go on a date at age 13 and the farmers response was "when pigs can fly".

Answer 4

It originated as a phrase of something that will never happen. People used to use the phrase "when hell freezes over," but since the election of Jimmy Carter, that does not seem as unlikely and event anymore.

Answer 5

The idiom is derived from a centuries-old Scottish proverb.

Answer 6

I let you know when pigs can fly

Answer 7

My uncle Earl

Answer 8

Something that can never happen.