Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

When pigs fly Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Home Return to Study Hints Random
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: The Idiom 'When Pigs Fly': Origins and Cultural Significance

Cheat Sheet:
The Idiom 'When Pigs Fly': Origins and Cultural Significance Study Guide

Understanding the Idiom

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

What is the primary implication when someone uses the phrase 'when pigs fly'?

Answer: That the event is impossible and will never happen.

Return to Game

How is the phrase 'when pigs fly' typically used in conversation?

Answer: As a sarcastic remark indicating impossibility.

Return to Game

Besides stating impossibility, what other function does the phrase 'when pigs fly' often serve?

Answer: For humorous effect and to satirize over-ambition.

Return to Game

What is the meaning of the variation 'And pigs will fly'?

Answer: It is used in response to an outlandish statement.

Return to Game

The phrase 'when pigs fly' is an example of which type of figurative language?

Answer: Adynaton

Return to Game

Beyond signifying impossibility, for what additional purpose is the phrase 'when pigs fly' frequently employed?

Answer: For humorous effect and to satirize excessive ambition.

Return to Game

Historical Roots and Early Mentions

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

Approximately since which century have variations of the idiom 'when pigs fly' been in circulation?

Answer: The 17th century

Return to Game

What is the purported origin of the idiom 'when pigs fly'?

Answer: A historical Scottish proverb.

Return to Game

In which work did François Rabelais describe a winged swine?

Answer: Gargantua and Pantagruel

Return to Game

Global Parallels

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'.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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'.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.'

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.'

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a similar English idiom expressing improbability?

Answer: When the moon turns blue

Return to Game

What is the literal translation of the Spanish phrase 'Cuando los chanchos vuelen'?

Answer: When the pigs fly

Return to Game

What is the Romanian expression for impossibility that means 'on horses' Easter'?

Answer: La Paștele cailor

Return to Game

The Latin expression 'ad kalendas graecas' is used to signify:

Answer: A date that will never occur.

Return to Game

What is the German equivalent of 'when pigs fly'?

Answer: Wenn Schweine fliegen können!

Return to Game

The Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish' refers to something that will happen:

Answer: Never.

Return to Game

What is the literal meaning of the Egyptian Arabic proverb 'bukra fil mish-mish'?

Answer: When the apricots bloom.

Return to Game

What is the meaning of the Latin phrase 'ad kalendas graecas'?

Answer: A date that will never occur.

Return to Game

Literary and Media Adaptations

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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!'

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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'.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game

In 'The Eagle Has Landed,' what event caused the Irish secret agent to exclaim 'Flying pigs!'?

Answer: The sight of German soldiers parachuting.

Return to Game

Which mobile game featured an episode titled 'When Pigs Fly' in 2012?

Answer: Bad Piggies

Return to Game

In which literary series did the character of Pigasus, a winged pig, make its appearance?

Answer: The Oz series authored by Ruth Plumly Thompson

Return to Game

Specify the two Oz books in which the character Pigasus played a significant role.

Answer: Pirates in Oz and The Wishing Horse of Oz

Return to Game

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.

Return to Game