as good be an addled egg as an idle bird

wuzhi · #1 (**permalink**) 14-Nov-2005, 10:08

What does this proverb mean?

hobbes · #2 (**permalink**) 14-Nov-2005, 22:35

Quick explanation first.

Addled Egg: - An egg which is no longer good to eat. Spoilt. Rotten.

Idle Bird: - Referring to the chicken. An idle bird lays no eggs.

So.....

The end result is the same. To have a rotten egg, or, to have no eggs.

I suppose it can be applied to any useless item that you have been given or even people!

wuzhi · #3 (**permalink**) 15-Nov-2005, 09:23

Thank you, Now I see.

wuzhi · #4 (**permalink**) 17-Nov-2005, 23:04

1578 LYLY Euphues I.325
If I had not bene gathered from the tree in the buddle, I should beeing blowne haue proued a blast, and as good it is to bee an addle egge as an idle bird.

What does this sentence mean?


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