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Why do people say "The proof is in the pudding"?
When the actual saying is "The proof of the pudding is in the eating".
It seems of late, that hardly a week goes by without some 'celebrity' or other, on the TV or radio, misquoting this idiom and making themselves sound a bit thick.
I think that it probably comes down to people repeating phrases that they have heard and think sound good, without thinking through the meaning; rather like the growing number of people I have heard inappropriately using the term 'mentalist' to describe someone who is mentally unhinged, out of control or a little lairy.
@ Neil
I'm sure you're right but it still makes no sense and conveys no meaning, unless of course, someone had hidden some vital crime scene evidence or the demonstration of the truth of a mathmatical equation inside their sticky toffee pud :). I've even heard presenters on BBC radio, who should know better, mis-quote this saying.
@ ipoian
I sympathise with you. There is nothing worse (although this could be subject to personal taste or opinion) than finding a poof in your pudding or down your trousers for that matter.
@ Big H
Possibly not an idiom but not really a metaphor either. It's actually a proverb c1300 and probably related to a meat
product such as black or blood pudding or haggis. Your yeasty theory is quite intersting, although I've never heard the saying 'The proof is in the bread' being used in connection with the proving/proofing process.
3 Answers
- NeilLv 79 years agoFavourite answer
It depends upon where you live, I suppose. I'm 60 years old and I've never heard the full phrase except on British television. I live in Canada and we've always said, "The proof is in the pudding."
- ?Lv 79 years ago
Because they are mixing their metaphors. (not idioms).it`s either the proof of the pudding is in the eating or the proof is in the bread
When making bread, the dough mixture is left to "proove" (or improve),proof that the yeast is alive i.e. allow the yeast to work before baking..you don`t leave a pudding to "prove" proof of a good pudding is the taste/flavour..or in the eating
- ipoianLv 59 years ago
Well, I am 110 years old and I remember those 'Poofs in the puddings' during the trenches in WWI. They didn't half get down your trousers!!!
