The Devil Is an Ass When Pigs Fly: Decoding These Wild English Idioms
Ever heard someone say "the devil is an ass when pigs fly" and thought, wait, what exactly did they just mean? You're not alone. This mashup of old English idioms sounds absolutely bonkers if you break it down word by word — and that's kind of the point.
These phrases have been floating around English for centuries, popping up in literature, casual conversation, and that one relative who always has a colorful way of saying "that'll never happen." Let's dig into what makes these idioms so weird, where they came from, and why people still use them It's one of those things that adds up. Practical, not theoretical..
What Does "The Devil Is an Ass When Pigs Fly" Actually Mean?
Here's the thing — this phrase isn't really one unified expression. Still, it's more like a greatest hits collection of English idioms that all basically say the same thing: *that thing you're suggesting? Practically speaking, it's not going to happen. Ever It's one of those things that adds up..
Breaking Down Each Piece
"The devil is an ass" is the oldest piece of this puzzle. It shows up in English literature as far back as the 16th century, and the idea is simple: if the devil himself — the ultimate trickster, the embodiment of evil — is reduced to being just a silly fool (an ass), then you know you're talking about something impossible. It's dramatic. It's colorful. It's basically saying "I'll believe it when I see hell freeze over."
"When pigs fly" is probably the most recognizable of the bunch. This one means something will happen at the exact same time as pigs sprout wings and take to the skies — which is to say, never. The phrase shows up in various forms across different English-speaking countries, and it's become the go-to way to dismiss something as utterly impossible Simple, but easy to overlook. That alone is useful..
"Good night" at the end is just the cherry on top. It's the conversational mic drop. The "I'm done with this discussion" button. Combined with the impossibility phrases, it's like saying "and with that, I'm heading to bed, because the world where this happens doesn't exist."
The Combined Meaning
Put it all together, and you've got a colorful, emphatic way of saying "that will never happen." People use it when they're being playful, sarcastic, or just done arguing. It's the verbal equivalent of a eye roll and a walk away.
Why Do These Idioms Even Exist?
Here's what most people miss: these aren't just random silly phrases. They serve a real purpose in how we communicate.
We Love to Say "Never" in Interesting Ways
Plain old "never" is boring. In practice, "No, that's not going to happen" is forgettable. But "the devil is an ass when pigs fly"? But that's memorable. That's a sentence people actually want to hear and repeat.
Idioms like these give us ways to express certainty and disbelief with personality. They signal that we're not just dismissing something — we're dismissing it with style.
They Soften the Blow
Saying "that's a terrible idea and it will never work" can feel harsh. Here's the thing — it lets you reject something while still keeping the conversation light. But saying "the devil is an ass when pigs fly" adds humor. That's why people use these phrases even when they're being serious — the comedic wrapper makes criticism easier to swallow.
They Connect Us to History
"The devil is an ass" has been around since at least the 1500s. Day to day, that's hundreds of years of people using this exact phrase to express disbelief. When you use it, you're tapping into a long tradition of English speakers reaching for colorful language instead of plain old negativity Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
How to Use These Idioms (And When)
This is where most people trip up. Using idioms wrong can make you sound confused instead of clever. Here's how to get it right.
The Sarcastic Dismissal
This is the most common use. Someone proposes something unrealistic, and you respond with one of these phrases:
- "Sure, I'll start exercising every morning. When pigs fly."
- "He said he'd apologize. The devil is an ass, so maybe."
The key is timing. That said, you need the other person to understand you're being playful, not genuinely hostile. Tone of voice matters a lot here Nothing fancy..
The Self-Deprecating Joke
You can turn these phrases on yourself:
- "Will I ever learn to cook? The devil is an ass when pigs fly, honestly."
This works because you're including yourself in the absurdity. It signals that you know your own limitations and you're okay laughing about them.
The Playful Goodbye
Adding "good night" at the end turns it into a conversation ender. It's like saying "I'm done here, and I'm heading to bed because this topic is going nowhere."
- "The devil is an ass when pigs fly, good night."
This is especially popular in online conversations — forums, group chats, social media. It's the text equivalent of walking away while waving dismissively.
Common Mistakes People Make
Let's be honest — a lot of people use these phrases without really understanding what they're saying. That can lead to some awkward moments.
Mixing Up the Meaning
Some people think "the devil is an ass" means something is evil or stupid. It doesn't. It means something is impossible. Using it to call someone or something "dumb as the devil" misses the point entirely Simple, but easy to overlook..
Using It Too Aggressively
These phrases are meant to be playful. Because of that, if you use them in a genuinely mean-spirited way, you'll come across as harsh rather than witty. The humor is what makes them work Simple as that..
Overusing Them
Like any expression, these idioms lose their punch if you deploy them every five minutes. If everything is "when pigs fly" to you, people will stop listening. Save them for moments that actually call for emphatic disbelief.
Not Reading the Room
Some people genuinely don't know these idioms. So if you're talking to someone who isn't familiar with "the devil is an ass," they might be genuinely confused. In formal settings or with people you don't know well, it might be safer to just say "that won't happen Small thing, real impact. Surprisingly effective..
Practical Tips for Using These Idioms Naturally
Want to sprinkle these phrases into your conversations without sounding like you're trying too hard? Here's what actually works.
Listen for the opening. Someone says something unrealistic? That's your cue. "When pigs fly" fits naturally right after a wild claim or impossible promise.
Match the energy. If the conversation is lighthearted and joking, these phrases land perfectly. If it's a serious discussion about actual plans, maybe skip them Surprisingly effective..
Own the absurdity. The whole point is that these phrases are silly. Don't apologize for using them or try to explain yourself. Just say it and move on Turns out it matters..
Mix andmatch. You don't have to use the whole phrase every time. "When pigs fly" works perfectly on its own. So does "the devil is an ass." Use whichever piece fits the moment Not complicated — just consistent. Nothing fancy..
Use them about yourself. Self-deprecating jokes with these idioms are almost always safe. "I'll be organized one day. When pigs fly, probably."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does "the devil is an ass" come from?
It dates back to at least the 16th century in English literature. Which means "Ass" here means fool or silly person, not the animal. The idea is that even the devil would look like a fool if the impossible thing actually happened Simple as that..
Is "when pigs fly" American or British?
Both! Worth adding: variations show up in American, British, Australian, and other English dialects. It's one of those universal expressions that different English-speaking countries all seem to have arrived at independently.
Can these phrases be used in formal writing?
Probably not. They're casual, conversational expressions. In formal writing, you'd just say "that won't happen" or "that's impossible." These idioms are for speech and informal writing.
What's the difference between all these phrases?
Functionally, they all mean the same thing: never. "When pigs fly" is the most common and widely understood. "The devil is an ass" is a bit more old-fashioned and literary. Adding "good night" is a modern internet-age addition that signals you're done with the conversation Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Most guides skip this. Don't.
Are there other idioms that mean the same thing?
Oh absolutely. In practice, "When hell freezes over," "not in a million years," "over my dead body," and "in your dreams" all carry similar meaning. English is full of ways to say "never" with extra flavor That's the whole idea..
The Bottom Line
"The devil is an ass when pigs fly" is really just a colorful collection of old English idioms打包 together — a playful way to say something is impossible while also saying "I'm done with this topic."
These phrases work because they're absurd. Still, they're memorable. They let us express strong disagreement or disbelief without being completely blunt or rude. Still, that's the magic of idioms in general — they give us language that does more than communicate information. It signals tone, shared culture, and a little bit of history all at once.
So the next time someone tells you something that's definitely not going to happen, you've got options. So " You could say "that'll never happen. You could say "no." Or you could channel a few centuries of English speakers and say the devil is an ass when pigs fly — and good night.
Counterintuitive, but true.
