The idiom “that’ll be the day” is a time-tested favorite for expressing skepticism or disbelief about something likely to never happen. With a linguistic flourish rooted in the early 1900s, it’s practically a more sophisticated way of saying, “Yeah, right, when pigs fly!” Emphasizing that gives it just the right punch of incredulity.
Related Terms and Expressions
- When Pigs Fly: Used as a skeptical remark about an impossible occurrence.
- Not in a Million Years: Another way of saying it’s never going to happen.
- Over My Dead Body: It often denotes strong opposition.
- Not a Snowball’s Chance in Hell: A colorful way to say there’s no likelihood of success.
Proverbs and Synonyms
- “And pigs might fly!”—English Proverb: A pig becomes emblematic of impossibility in the tradition of English humor.
- “Don’t hold your breath.”: A caution not to wait for something unlikely.
- “I’ll eat my hat.”: A challenge of sorts, accepted when something improbable does happen.
Humor-Filled Quotes
“That’ll be the day when I stop eating chocolate—spoken by every chocoholic ever.”
Literary References
- Buddy Holly’s 1957 Hit Song, “That’ll Be the Day”: 🎵 An iconic tune capturing the spirit of the phrase.
- The 1973 British Film “That’ll Be the Day”: 🎬 Featuring Ringo Starr, an exploration of nostalgia and disbelief.
Books
- “The World’s Most Famous Pig-Related Sayings” by Peter Porkbelly: An exploration of unique and humorous sayings around the porcine improbability.
- “Improbable & Expected” by Lexi Contradoxa: Exploring oxymoronic phrases and the peculiarity of language.
Songs
- “When Pigs Fly” by Tenacious D: A musical ode to the most inventive of idioms.
Poetry
- “Poems Outlandish and Otherworldly” by Wylde Wordingworth: Collections of poetry that explore the surreal and fantastical, much like our idiom in question.
Movies
- “Big Fish”: A film filled with extraordinary and tall tales, each one an unlikely event.
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] That’ll be the day
- [ ] When cows moonwalk
- [ ] Singing with pickle tongues
- [ ] Painting in invisible ink
> **Explanation:** “That’ll be the day” is a valid idiom indicating something unlikely to happen. The others? Pure figments of imagination!
### Which phrase is genuine?
- [ ] Nesting in cloud cushions
- [x] When pigs fly
- [ ] Eating rainbow pancakes
- [ ] Juggling invisible ducks
> **Explanation:** “When pigs fly” is a real and colorful way to say something won't happen. The others, while delightful, are whimsical nonsense.
### True or False: 'Didn't see that coming' relates to unexpected events
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! It means something happened that was unanticipated or unforeseen.
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'That’ll be the day'?
- [x] Not in a million years
- [ ] Carrying moon dust
- [ ] Wearing wind boots
- [ ] Brushing star teeth
> **Explanation:** “Not in a million years” conveys the same skepticism regarding the likelihood of an event.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
When laughter and language come together, the art of expression flourishes. Embrace every oddity, cherish each curiosity, and may you always phrase with wit and meaning!
Cheers, Ida Elle M. Possible
