You ever read a line in an old play and think, "Wait, what does that even mean?" That's exactly the kind of rabbit hole you fall into with the phrase "when pigs fly devil is an ass.In practice, " It sounds like nonsense. Or a joke. Or maybe something you'd mutter after a long day when nothing goes right Worth keeping that in mind..
Here's the thing — that weird little string of words has more going on under the surface than most people realize. And if you've landed here because you typed when pigs fly devil is an ass into search, you're not alone. Turns out a lot of folks are curious about where this comes from and what it's supposed to mean No workaround needed..
Some disagree here. Fair enough.
What Is "When Pigs Fly Devil Is an Ass"
So let's just talk about it plainly. It means something will never happen. Pigs aren't flying, and they're not going to. "When pigs fly" is a phrase most of us grew up hearing. Simple enough Took long enough..
But tack "devil is an ass" onto the end and you've got a different animal. That second part isn't random internet slang. That said, it's actually the title of a play — The Devil Is an Ass — written by Ben Jonson back in 1616. On top of that, yeah, 400 years ago. Jonson was messing around with the idea that the devil isn't some all-powerful scary thing. In his comedy, the devil gets outsmarted by regular Londoners. The title itself is a joke about how overrated the devil's reputation is Most people skip this — try not to..
Where the Two Pieces Meet
Put them together and you get a folk-style saying that mixes impossible animals with a theatrical jab at evil. "When pigs fly, devil is an ass" reads like a proverb from someone who doesn't trust authority — heavenly or hellish. It's saying: the impossible and the ridiculous are buddies.
Not a Standard Idiom
Real talk, you won't find this in most dictionaries. Still, it's not "correct English" in the textbook sense. It's more like a mashup people use in writing, memes, or casual speech when they want to sound cynical and a little literary at the same time It's one of those things that adds up..
This is where a lot of people lose the thread.
Why It Matters / Why People Care
Why does any of this matter? Because language like this shows how we borrow from everywhere — plays, jokes, old superstitions — and glue them into new sayings. Most people skip the history and just use the words for vibes Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
And here's what goes wrong when you don't know the background: you might think it's just nonsense and miss the humor. On top of that, or you might use it in a paper thinking it's a real proverb and get a weird look from your teacher. Knowing the mix of impossible condition plus theatrical insult makes you sound smarter, not less That's the part that actually makes a difference. Took long enough..
It also matters because Ben Jonson's play is genuinely good and forgotten. That said, when you say "devil is an ass," you're quietly keeping a 17th-century comedy alive. That's kind of cool when you think about it Most people skip this — try not to..
How It Works (or How to Do It)
If you want to actually use "when pigs fly devil is an ass" without looking confused, here's the breakdown.
Step 1: Understand the Tone
This is not a serious curse. It's cynical and funny. Use it when you're annoyed but don't want to be mean. "He'll apologize when pigs fly devil is an ass" means he won't — and also that you think his pride is a joke That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Step 2: Know Your Audience
Don't drop this in a job interview. Because of that, do drop it in a group chat, a blog post, or a creative story. Practically speaking, the phrase works best where people get irony. If they don't, you'll just seem weird Practical, not theoretical..
Step 3: Use the Full Phrase Sparingly
In practice, the whole line is long. Most people shorten it. Flows better. "Pigs'll fly and the devil's an ass before that happens." See? The key is keeping both ideas — impossibility and mocked evil Simple as that..
Step 4: Connect to the Source If You Want
If you're writing something longer, mention Jonson. Even so, it adds weight. Now, "The old phrase 'when pigs fly devil is an ass' nods to a Ben Jonson play where the devil gets fooled. " That one sentence makes you look like you've read stuff.
Step 5: Don't Overthink the Grammar
The phrase isn't grammatical by modern rules. That's why forced correctness kills the charm. That's fine. Let it be rough.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
Honestly, this is the part most guides get wrong. On top of that, they try to make "when pigs fly devil is an ass" into a real idiom with rules. It isn't That's the part that actually makes a difference. Simple as that..
One mistake: thinking it's from the Bible. It's not. The devil's in there, sure, but "an ass" as an insult for him is Jonson's spin.
Another mistake: using it seriously. If you say it with a straight face in a fight, it sounds like you lost your train of thought. It needs a smirk.
And people often spell it wrong or punctuate it like a title. "When Pigs Fly: Devil is an Ass" looks like a book. Practically speaking, it can be a book title if you write one. But as a saying, keep it loose.
I know it sounds simple — but it's easy to miss that the humor is the point. Strip the joke and you've got nothing.
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
Here's what actually works if you want to use or write about this phrase.
- Drop it in dialogue for a cynical character. Writers love it because it shows attitude fast.
- Use it as a blog title if you're reviewing something bad. "The new update is good when pigs fly devil is an ass" gets clicks.
- Teach it to friends as a fun fact. "Did you know 'devil is an ass' is a 400-year-old play?" People remember that.
- If you're SEO writing, don't force the exact phrase more than a few times. Use "pigs fly" and "devil is an ass" separately too. Google gets it.
- Read the Jonson play if you want the real context. It's public domain. Free and funny.
Worth knowing: the phrase works best when the situation is petty. Big tragedies don't need jokes about flying pigs. Save it for late bills, bad bosses, and broken promises.
FAQ
Is "when pigs fly devil is an ass" a real saying? It's a blended phrase, not a traditional proverb. "Pigs fly" is real; "devil is an ass" comes from Ben Jonson's 1616 play. Together they're a modern mashup.
What does "devil is an ass" mean by itself? It means the devil is foolish or overrated. Jonson used it to mock the idea that evil is all-powerful. In the play, humans outwit him Less friction, more output..
Can I use this in formal writing? Probably not. It's casual and ironic. Use it in creative work, blogs, or speech — not essays or reports.
Where can I read The Devil Is an Ass? It's in the public domain. Search for Ben Jonson's works online and you'll find the full text free Took long enough..
Why do people combine the two phrases? Because both express disbelief or mockery. One says "never," the other says "that's stupid." Together they hit harder and funnier.
Next time you hear someone promise the impossible, you've got a line ready. Consider this: "Sure — when pigs fly devil is an ass. " It's weird, it's old, and it's oddly satisfying. Use it well.
