Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2007 Since You Asked What does the phrase "teaching your grandmother to suck eggs" mean, and where did it originate? -- Sarah B. Being in the news business, Sarah, we've heard "go suck on an egg" many times. But we were perplexed as to why you'd need to teach your grandmother to do this. The saying goes a ways back. For the answer, we turned to the infinitely wise and humorous Michael Quinion, who had already addressed your question on his worldwidewords.org Web site. Quinion points out that the meaning is: Don't give needless assistance or presume to offer advice to an expert. Advertisement "As that prolific author, Anon, once wrote: Teach not thy parent's mother to extract The embryo juices of the bird by suction. The good old lady can that feat enact, Quite irrespective of your kind instruction." Quinion quoted other similar expressions: "don't teach your grandmother how to milk ducks," and "don't teach your grandmother to steal sheep." Quinion says the saying was first recorded in 1707 in a translation by John Stevens of the collected comedies of the Spanish playwright Quevedo: "You would have me teach my Grandame to suck Eggs." But he says the idea is much older: "There was a classical proverb, 'A swine to teach Minerva,' which was translated by Nichola Udall in 1542 as 'to teach our dame to spin,' something any married woman of the period would know very well how to do. And there are other examples of sayings designed to check the tendency of young people to give unwanted advice to their elders and betters." [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help