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The phrase "when pigs fly" (alternatively, "pigs might fly") is an adynaton—a figure of speech so hyperbolic that it describes an impossibility. The implication of such a phrase is that the circumstances in question (the adynaton, and the circumstances to which the adynaton is being applied) will never occur.
Jan 7, 2024 · The phrase “pigs might fly” or “pigs may fly” has been used in various forms since the 1600s, when it was said that “pigs fly with their tails forward”, used as a sarcastic remark something overly optimistic.
May 19, 2021 · The phrase when pigs fly is a figure of speech used to indicate that something is impossible. When someone states that they intend to do something that simply cannot be done, one could respond with a literal statement to that effect. Or, one could simply respond "when pigs fly."
- Mary Gormandy White
- Staff Writer
Meaning. ‘Pigs might fly’ is a humorous/ironic remark, used to indicate the unlikeliness of some event or to mock the credulity of others. For example: “I might make a start on papering the back bedroom tomorrow”. “Yes, and pigs might fly”. Origin. The literalists amongst us all know that pigs can fly. After all, newspapers keep saying ‘swine flu’.
Jan 10, 2017 · Meaning. “ When pigs fly ” is used to describe figuratively something that most likely will never happen. “Mark plans to tidy up his room every week, but he will probably do it only when pigs fly” Which means that Mark will never clean his room.
The earliest iterations of when pigs fly were slightly longer than the version used today, as they specified that the pigs would be flying with their tails forward. This version is rarely found after the 17th century, and nowadays we make do with the shorter version of when pigs fly.
The meaning of WHEN PIGS FLY is —used to say that one thinks that something will never happen. How to use when pigs fly in a sentence.
