FLYING PIGS

The expression “pigs might fly” (or “pigs will fly before”) is used to indicate that something is considered impossible or unlikely.

 It may have originated from a 17th century proverb, “pigs fly in the air with their tails forward” [1].

 Examples

 “In fact, pigs might fly the day Mario Kart Deluxe 8 slips beneath the £35 mark.”

 “So much for Coventry wanting to become the Sporting City of Europe — pigs might fly!”

 “It’s a concept that has no doubt raised the eyebrows of some of the old guard who think ‘pigs will fly’ before there would be a local market for NT beef.”

 [1] “pigs” in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press, 2005.

 Photo credit: Brad Smith (Creative Commons)

 Updated Sunday 08 March 20

BREAKING THE ICE

To break the ice is to do or say something to relieve shyness or tension at a meeting between strangers.

 Ice is physically broken to allow boats to pass through frozen water.

 e.g. “Starting Saturday the Coast Guard will be breaking the ice to keep the channels open for navigation.”


However, the current use of this phrase as an idiom began in the 17th century, with ice being used to represent a cold or unfriendly manner at least since the time of Shakespeare [1].

Examples of use:

“Aidan took the students through a number of exercises to break the ice, then gave them tips on how to remember lines more effectively.”

“Mayonnaise or Salad Cream? A very important question and a great way to break the ice at a buffet.”

“When someone moves into your street, it’s a great time to break the ice: invite them for a cup of tea while their kettle is still packed in a box, take them a small moving in gift or just go over to their house and introduce yourself, says Holmes.”

[1] Cresswell, Julia. "ice." In The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins. : Oxford University Press,, 2009. 

Photo credit: Ernesto De Quesada

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS – RATIO AND RATION

I frequently see “ration” in place of “ratio” in scientific papers, and it is misused in many news reports.


 A RATIO is a quantitative relationship between two values (such as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter).

 e.g. “In fact, a ratio of roughly 105 male births for every 100 female ones is generally seen as natural and normal.”

 “In the US, record-breaking high temperatures are outnumbering record lows by a ratio of two to one.”

 “His finance ministry is projecting a tax ratio of just below 12 percent this year.”


 A RATION is a fixed amount of something.

 e.g. “Lime cordial first originated in the 1700s when it was used by the Royal Navy to ensure sailors received their daily ration of lemon or lime juice.”



 Photo credit: Dan Heatherly