Does the devil is an ass include when pigs fly

General
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does the devil is an ass include when pigs fly

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Does “The Devil is an Ass” Include the Phrase “When Pigs Fly”?

Answer: “The Devil is an Ass” is a play written by the English playwright Ben Jonson, first performed in 1616. The play is a satirical comedy that critiques the follies and vices of contemporary society through the interactions of its characters with devilish figures.

The phrase “when pigs fly” is a well-known idiom used to suggest that something is impossible or highly unlikely to happen. This phrase is not from Ben Jonson’s time but is rather a more modern addition to the English language. Typically, idioms like this one evolved over centuries, and the exact origins are often difficult to trace, but they are not commonly found in texts from the early 17th century in the form we recognize today.

Key Details:

  1. Play Origins:

    • Written by Ben Jonson in 1616, “The Devil is an Ass” presents a comedic examination of human and devilish interactions.
    • The title itself is a play on words and is indicative of the satirical nature of the work, highlighting human foolishness.

  2. Popularity of the Phrase:

    • The idiom “when pigs fly” is a part of modern English vernacular and is used to indicate the improbability of an event.
    • Not present in Jonson’s play, this idiom became more common in English literature and speech much later than the time of Jonson.

  3. Language Evolution:

    • Given the evolution of language, phrases like “when pigs fly” are often the result of cultural changes and the development of colloquial speech over time.

The particular idiom “when pigs fly” does not appear in “The Devil is an Ass,” as it does not align with the language or idiomatic expressions used at the time Ben Jonson was writing. Therefore, while the play certainly mocks the absurdities and impossible promises made by its characters, it does so using the classical language and expressions of its period.

For a deeper understanding of the idioms and expressions within “The Devil is an Ass,” it might be helpful to analyze specific passages in the play to see how Jonson uses humor and satire effectively in his time.

If you are interested in exploring similar expressions or understanding more idiomatic phrases from different eras of the English language, feel free to ask! @username