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The phrase 'when pigs fly' is linguistically classified as which type of figure of speech, characterized by extreme exaggeration to denote impossibility?
Answer: True
Explanation: The phrase 'when pigs fly' is classified as an adynaton, a rhetorical device employing extreme exaggeration to signify an impossibility.
Does the idiom 'when pigs fly' suggest that the situation under discussion is highly probable or imminent?
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to implying likelihood, the idiom 'when pigs fly' signifies that the situation is impossible and will not occur.
Is the phrase 'when pigs fly' typically employed as a sincere expression of optimism?
Answer: False
Explanation: The phrase 'when pigs fly' is generally used sarcastically or humorously to denote impossibility, not as a genuine expression of optimism.
Besides indicating impossibility, does the phrase 'when pigs fly' serve other functions, such as humor or mocking excessive ambition?
Answer: True
Explanation: The phrase 'when pigs fly' is frequently employed for humorous effect and to satirize over-ambition, in addition to denoting impossibility.
If someone with a history of failure unexpectedly succeeds, might onlookers sarcastically remark 'A flying pig!'?
Answer: True
Explanation: Onlookers might sarcastically exclaim 'A flying pig!' to acknowledge an unexpected success, highlighting its improbability.
Is the variation 'And pigs will fly' used to express agreement with an outlandish statement?
Answer: False
Explanation: The variation 'And pigs will fly' is typically used in response to an outlandish statement, implying agreement with its absurdity rather than genuine affirmation.
The phrase 'when pigs fly' is classified as which specific type of figurative language, characterized by extreme exaggeration to denote impossibility?
Answer: Adynaton, using extreme exaggeration for an impossibility.
What is the primary implication when someone uses the phrase 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: That the event is impossible and will never happen.
How is the phrase 'when pigs fly' typically used in conversation?
Answer: As a sarcastic remark indicating impossibility.
Besides stating impossibility, what other function does the phrase 'when pigs fly' often serve?
Answer: For humorous effect and to satirize over-ambition.
What is the meaning of the variation 'And pigs will fly'?
Answer: It is used in response to an outlandish statement.
The phrase 'when pigs fly' is an example of which type of figurative language?
Answer: Adynaton
Beyond signifying impossibility, for what additional purpose is the phrase 'when pigs fly' frequently employed?
Answer: For humorous effect and to satirize excessive ambition.
Are variations of the phrase 'when pigs fly' documented as being in use since the early 1700s?
Answer: False
Explanation: Evidence suggests that variations of the phrase have been in use since the 17th century, not the early 18th century.
Is the idiom 'when pigs fly' believed to originate from an ancient Greek proverb?
Answer: False
Explanation: The idiom's origins are not traced to ancient Greek proverbs but rather to older European expressions of impossibility, possibly including Scottish proverbs.
Did François Rabelais, in his 1553 work, describe a winged swine that bore a resemblance to a windmill?
Answer: True
Explanation: François Rabelais's 1553 publication, 'Gargantua and Pantagruel,' includes a depiction of a large, winged swine, likened to a windmill.
Did John Moore-Brabazon, 1st Baron Brabazon of Tara, fly with a piglet in 1909, an event referenced in an image caption?
Answer: True
Explanation: An image caption references John Moore-Brabazon, the 1st Baron Brabazon of Tara, who undertook an aeroplane flight accompanied by a piglet in 1909.
Approximately since which century have variations of the idiom 'when pigs fly' been in circulation?
Answer: The 17th century
What is the purported origin of the idiom 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: A historical Scottish proverb.
In which work did François Rabelais describe a winged swine?
Answer: Gargantua and Pantagruel
Do similar English idioms expressing improbability include 'when hell freezes over' and 'monkeys might fly out of my butt'?
Answer: True
Explanation: Idioms such as 'when hell freezes over' and 'monkeys might fly out of my butt' are comparable English expressions used to denote impossibility, similar to 'when pigs fly'.
Is the Spanish phrase 'Cuando los chanchos vuelen' a literal translation of 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: True
Explanation: The Spanish phrase 'Cuando los chanchos vuelen' directly translates to 'when pigs fly,' serving as a parallel expression of impossibility.
Does the Romanian expression 'La Paștele cailor' signify an impossible event, similar to 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: True
Explanation: The Romanian expression 'La Paștele cailor,' meaning 'on horses' Easter,' is used to denote an impossible event, functioning similarly to 'when pigs fly'.
Does the Latin expression 'ad kalendas graecas' mean 'when pigs fly' and refer to a possible future event?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Latin expression 'ad kalendas graecas' signifies a date that will never occur, akin to 'when pigs fly,' but it does not mean 'when pigs fly' and refers to an impossible, not possible, future event.
Does the German equivalent 'Wenn Schweine fliegen können!' translate to 'If pigs could fly, everything would be possible.'?
Answer: False
Explanation: The German phrase 'Wenn Schweine fliegen können!' directly translates to 'When pigs can fly!'. The phrase 'If pigs had wings, everything would be possible' is a related, older proverb.
In Finnish, is the expression 'kun lehmät lentävät' (when cows fly) used primarily due to its literal meaning?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Finnish expression 'kun lehmät lentävät' (when cows fly) is employed primarily for its alliterative quality, not for its literal meaning.
Does the Swedish phrase 'när grisar flyger' have the same meaning as the English idiom 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: True
Explanation: The Swedish phrase 'när grisar flyger' is identical in meaning to the English idiom 'when pigs fly,' signifying impossibility.
Is the common French expression for impossibility 'quand les poules auront des dents', meaning 'when the hens have teeth'?
Answer: True
Explanation: The prevalent French expression for an impossible event is 'quand les poules auront des dents,' which translates to 'when the hens have teeth.'
Does the Russian expression 'kogda rak na gore svistnet' literally mean 'when the crab whistles on the mountain'?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Russian expression 'kogda rak na gore svistnet' literally translates to 'when the crayfish will whistle on the mountain,' signifying an impossible event.
Does a medieval Hebrew expression for something that will never happen involve a donkey climbing a ladder?
Answer: True
Explanation: A medieval Hebrew expression found in manuscripts signifies impossibility by referring to 'until the donkey ascends the ladder.'
Does the Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish' refer to an event that is certain to happen tomorrow?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish' signifies an event that will never happen, literally meaning 'tomorrow when the apricots bloom,' referencing their brief and perishable season.
Does the Latin phrase 'ad kalendas graecas' signify a date that is guaranteed to occur?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Latin phrase 'ad kalendas graecas' signifies a date that will never occur, functioning as an idiom for impossibility.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a similar English idiom expressing improbability?
Answer: When the moon turns blue
What is the literal translation of the Spanish phrase 'Cuando los chanchos vuelen'?
Answer: When the pigs fly
What is the Romanian expression for impossibility that means 'on horses' Easter'?
Answer: La Paștele cailor
The Latin expression 'ad kalendas graecas' is used to signify:
Answer: A date that will never occur.
What is the German equivalent of 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: Wenn Schweine fliegen können!
The Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish' refers to something that will happen:
Answer: Never.
What is the literal meaning of the Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish'?
Answer: When the apricots bloom.
What is the meaning of the Latin phrase 'ad kalendas graecas'?
Answer: A date that will never occur.
Does the phrase 'when pigs fly' appear in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass'?
Answer: False
Explanation: While Lewis Carroll utilized related concepts, the specific phrase 'when pigs fly' does not appear verbatim in 'Through the Looking-Glass,' though similar sentiments are present in his works.
In Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' does the Duchess tell Alice that pigs have the same right to fly as she does?
Answer: False
Explanation: In 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' the Duchess states, 'Pigs have the same right to fly as I have,' implying impossibility, not equality of right.
Does the phrase 'pigs have wings' appear in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass'?
Answer: True
Explanation: In 'Through the Looking-Glass,' the Walrus asks, 'And whether pigs have wings,' as part of a conversation, referencing the concept.
In the film 'The Eagle Has Landed,' did an Irish agent use 'Pigs may fly' to dismiss a German general's unrealistic claim about winning World War II?
Answer: True
Explanation: In 'The Eagle Has Landed,' an Irish secret agent responded to a German general's unrealistic claim about winning World War II by stating, 'Pigs may fly, General, but I doubt it!'
Did the Irish secret agent in 'The Eagle Has Landed' exclaim 'Flying pigs!' upon witnessing German tanks arriving?
Answer: False
Explanation: The Irish secret agent exclaimed 'Flying pigs!' upon witnessing German soldiers parachuting, an event he considered as improbable as pigs flying, not upon seeing tanks.
Did the mobile game 'Bad Piggies' feature an episode titled 'When Pigs Fly' in 2012?
Answer: True
Explanation: The mobile game 'Bad Piggies' included an episode titled 'When Pigs Fly' as part of its third episode update in 2012.
Did a winged pig character named Pigasus appear in the Oz books written by L. Frank Baum?
Answer: False
Explanation: The winged pig character Pigasus appeared in the Oz books authored by Ruth Plumly Thompson, not L. Frank Baum.
Did Pigasus, the winged pig, first appear in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'?
Answer: False
Explanation: Pigasus, the winged pig, first appeared in 'Pirates in Oz' (1931), not 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.
Did Mark Kistler's drawing instruction videos sometimes feature a Pigasus?
Answer: True
Explanation: Mark Kistler's drawing instruction videos are noted for occasionally featuring the character Pigasus.
Is an image related to 'when pigs fly' depicted as a weather vane shaped like a pig?
Answer: True
Explanation: One visual representation associated with the phrase 'when pigs fly' depicts a weather vane fashioned in the shape of a flying pig.
In 'The Eagle Has Landed,' what event caused the Irish secret agent to exclaim 'Flying pigs!'?
Answer: The sight of German soldiers parachuting.
Which mobile game featured an episode titled 'When Pigs Fly' in 2012?
Answer: Bad Piggies
In which literary series did the character of Pigasus, a winged pig, make its appearance?
Answer: The Oz series authored by Ruth Plumly Thompson
Specify the two Oz books in which the character Pigasus played a significant role.
Answer: Pirates in Oz and The Wishing Horse of Oz
What object is depicted in one of the visual representations associated with the phrase 'when pigs fly'?
Answer: A weather vane shaped like a flying pig.