when pigs fly origin ben jonson
What is the origin of the phrase “When pigs fly,” and did Ben Jonson contribute to it?
Answer: The phrase “When pigs fly” is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is so unlikely to happen that it’s considered impossible. The idea behind the phrase is that pigs are not able to fly; therefore, if someone says something will happen “when pigs fly,” they mean it won’t happen at all.
Historical Context and Origins
The origin of this expression stretches back many centuries and is associated with humorous and exaggerated impossibilities. Although it’s challenging to pinpoint exactly when or where this phrase was first coined, it has long been part of the English language as a way to signify an event that is extraordinarily unlikely.
Connection to Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson, a well-known English playwright and poet from the late 16th and early 17th century, is sometimes associated with various expressions due to his significant contribution to English literature and language. However, there is no direct literary evidence linking Jonson himself to the origin of the phrase “when pigs fly.” While Jonson’s works were rich with satire and wit, attributing this specific idiom to him might stem from a broader association with the style and era of his writing rather than direct usage in his plays or poems.
Exploration of the Phrase in Literature
Throughout literature, many authors have utilized fantastical or ironic imagery to illustrate impossibility:
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Lewis Carroll, in his book “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871), explored similar concepts of whimsical and fantastical occurrences as real possibilities.
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The Scottish proverb “pigs may fly, but it’s not likely” was recorded in the late 16th century, although this also predates any direct association with Jonson.
Evolution and Usage
The use of “when pigs fly” evolved as it traveled across languages and cultures:
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In French, a similar phrase is “quand les poules auront des dents” which translates to “when hens have teeth.”
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Spanish uses the expression “cuando las ranas críen pelo” meaning “when frogs grow hair.”
These equivalent idioms highlight how various cultures incorporate different impossibilities to express the same sentiment.
Conclusion
While Ben Jonson was an influential figure and contributed to the English language with a wealth of literary inventions, associating him with the specific phrase “when pigs fly” doesn’t align with historical textual evidence. This expression seems to have developed from a larger European tradition of using absurd images to illustrate impossibility.
For more detailed research, analyzing Jonson’s complete works might offer deeper insights into his unique style with satire and expression, but for this phrase particularly, it remains enshrined in the traditions of folklore and colloquial speech.
References: Historical references to idioms commonly derive from published proverbs and documented folklore collections over centuries, which might not directly attribute to any single author like Ben Jonson. However, some idiomatic references and exploratory efforts have compiled them broadly recognizing their cultural impacts and linguistic evolution.
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