2006-12-25 13:46:57 · 20 answers · asked by Atheist Eye Candy 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The actual origin or genesis of this expression is probably lost to antiquity. The link below will give you a somewhat complete discussion of the saying. The expression as it is used today is to give hope to those facing what appears to be a difficult or impossible situation to win. The idea that there is still a chance as long as the game, event, contest, or challenge has not come to an end.
2006-12-25 23:57:22 · answer #1 · answered by Magic One 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a saying that I would guess comes from a man watching an opera in which there was a fat lady who sung a solo which ended the play. He went to see it again someone asked him when the opera would end and he replied "It's not over until the fat lady sings."
2006-12-25 13:50:25 · answer #2 · answered by Cyborg Farmer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the very last scene of an opera, a fat lady would come out and sing her aria. So, the opera wasn't over until the fat lady sang. That's what it means.
2006-12-25 13:48:12 · answer #3 · answered by beekiss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lets say you are at the end of your role in making the right choice or so you think well it is not over till the fat lady sings and at your breaking point it all turns around that is what that means,,,Nevergive up HOPE>
2006-12-25 13:49:37 · answer #4 · answered by Gypsy Gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ending of most operas (because most of them are dramas with unhappy endings), the heroine sings a solo - and it used to be thought that opera singers needed to be heavier in order to use their abdomens better for their vocals - thus the ending of the opera was when 'the fat lady sang'. Now it's used to say that anything can happen until that ending.
2006-12-25 13:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because in the operas the singing fat lady in the viking costume is the last act.
2006-12-25 13:50:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fat lady is always singing the closing song at an opera.
2006-12-25 13:47:52 · answer #7 · answered by Atlas 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
There was always a 'fat lady' who sang at the very end of the opera...and since they're so long you'd never know it was over unless the fat lady had sang.
2006-12-25 13:49:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a reference to an operetic tradition. The final song was supposedly sung by the lead female voice, who was (usually) overweight. That final song signaled the end of the performance.
Taken as a metaphor in real life, it simply means that the story (whatever is going on) isn't over yet. The final performance hasn't been seen.
2006-12-25 13:56:31 · answer #9 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"fat lady singing" is supposed to be the last item on the show since she is the worst and is allowed to do her thing while the audience clears the hall. No one listens to her and she may not even be paid for her "talents"
2006-12-25 13:52:04 · answer #10 · answered by mythkiller-zuba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋