When it's us, it's an abortion...

[supada]

When it's us, its an abortion, and when it's a chicken, it's an omlette.

What is the exact meaning of this phrase?

and when can we use it?

Please help.

[calinative]

I believe the phrase suggests that an abortion is the same as a chicken laying an egg. If so, the analogy suggests abortions should not be considered controversial.

As far as using it, you should decide if you agree with the statement once you understand it. One can argue that there are some logical problems with the analogy. If you do use the phrase, you can expect some counter arguments coming your way, such as:

First, an egg that gets cooked in an omelette cannot be compared to a human embryo. An edible chicken egg is just an egg...it did not get fertilized. Abortions do not remove eggs, they remove embryos (an egg that was fertilized with sperm). The proper human analogy to an egg laid by a chicken is the period that a woman has once a month. Also, chickens don´t need operations to lay an egg, but abortions require surgery or advanced medicine.

Maybe I´m totally wrong about the analogy...but I infer from it an attempt to lessen the seriousness of the abortion debate.

[Searching for language]

I believe it is meant to infer that when we make the omelette out of an egg, we are destroying the potential life within the egg. And, there are many eggs that are eaten even once they have been fertilized. If you have free-range chickens with a rooster, the egg may be fertilized. Only if given the proper temperature and time to develop,
it becomes a life.

I have heard the sentence used in anti-abortion protests etc. You will do quite well in speaking English even if you never learn to use it.

[supada]

This is the source that I got this phrase. I think I get it already.

When residents break the rules, it's an abortion, whereas traffic cops does, it's an omlette.

Thanks for your clarification.

[Searching for language]

That particular sentence has, as far as I know, only been used when debating/discussing the abortion/right to life issue. On the side of the Right to Life movement in North America, they are saying that abortion is looked at as lightly as people who stop a chicken fetus (an egg) from becoming a life.

[Anglika]

This is the source that I got this phrase. I think I get it already.

When residents break the rules, it's an abortion, whereas traffic cops does, it's an omlette.

Thanks for your clarification.

It would seem to suggest that if the residents make a mistake, it is a heinous error, but that if the police make a mistake, it was of course part of a planned process.

[supada]

It would seem to suggest that if the residents make a mistake, it is a heinous error, but that if the police make a mistake, it was of course part of a planned process.

Thanks, Anglika. You perfectly paraphrased it.

I got it.

[calinative]

I did a search for the phrase on Google, and the phrase is actually a joke written by George Carlin (the recently deceased and very controversial comedian). He was talking about the abortion debate, not abuses of power or accidents.

Also...

It would seem to suggest that if the residents make a mistake, it is a heinous error, but that if the police make a mistake, it was of course part of a planned process.

I would bet the driver of the BMW did not make a "mistake" by parking in front of a fire hydrant. I have observed many drivers of luxury cars park anywhere they wish because they know they can afford any ticket that they may get.

Also, I don´t think the Fire Department (not the "police") made a "mistake" by running the hose through the car. I think everyone would agree that saving people´s lives is more important than saving an illegally parked BMW.

If the driver of the car can afford such tickets, they can probably afford new windows.