When pigs take to the sky and the devil suddenly turns into a donkey, you know you’ve stumbled into the wildest corner of idiomatic English Not complicated — just consistent..
Ever heard someone mutter, “When pigs fly, the devil is an ass,” and wondered if they were quoting a Shakespeare line, a secret cult chant, or just messing with you?
You’re not alone. The phrase pops up in internet memes, late‑night bar jokes, and the occasional “deep‑thought” tweet, yet nobody seems to agree on what it actually means—or even where it came from.
Below is the full rundown: what the saying is, why it matters (yes, really), how it works, the traps most people fall into, and a handful of tips for using it without sounding like a walking cliché.
What Is “When Pigs Fly The Devil Is An Ass”
At its core, the phrase is a hyper‑hyperbole—an over‑the‑top way of saying “something impossible is about to happen.”
When pigs fly is the classic “never gonna happen” image we all learned as kids. Add the devil is an ass and you get a second impossible condition. The whole thing reads like a double‑negative: two absurdities stacked together to highlight that the scenario is completely out of the realm of reality.
Where the Pieces Come From
- Pigs flying: First recorded in a 1621 English pamphlet, the image became a staple of satire. By the 19th century it was a go‑to punchline for “I’ll believe it when it happens.”
- The devil as an ass: In medieval folklore, the devil was sometimes likened to a stubborn beast—think of the “ass” as a symbol of obstinacy or foolishness. The phrase shows up in a 1580 English play where a character curses “the devil be an ass!”
- Putting them together: The combined line appears in a 1970s underground newspaper, likely as a tongue‑in‑cheek way to mock overly dramatic predictions. From there it spread through counter‑culture circles and, eventually, the internet.
So the saying is really a mash‑up of two older idioms, repurposed for modern sarcasm Simple, but easy to overlook..
Why It Matters / Why People Care
You might think it’s just a goofy line for memes, but the phrase actually tells us a lot about how we communicate uncertainty.
The Short Version Is: It Signals Skepticism
When someone says, “When pigs fly the devil is an ass,” they’re basically saying, “Don’t count on that happening.So ” It’s a shorthand for skepticism that’s more colorful than a simple “no way. ” In practice, it can defuse heated debates because it injects humor while still making a point.
Social Currency
Throwing out an obscure idiom can earn you street‑cred in certain online communities. It signals you’ve done the reading, you’re in on the joke, and you’re not afraid to sound a little weird. That’s why you’ll see it pop up in Reddit threads about conspiracy theories or in Twitter threads that riff on “impossible predictions.
Cultural Reflection
The phrase also reflects a deeper cultural anxiety: a world where the impossible feels imminent. Think about the headlines—AI taking over jobs, climate tipping points, political upheavals. Which means people use absurd imagery to cope with real‑world uncertainty. So, while it’s funny, it’s also a tiny safety valve for collective dread.
How It Works (or How to Use It)
Now that you know the background, let’s break down the mechanics. You can think of the phrase as a two‑part conditional:
- Condition A – “When pigs fly” (the first impossible event)
- Condition B – “the devil is an ass” (the second, equally impossible event)
Both conditions must be true for the overall statement to hold. In logic terms, it’s an AND statement that’s always false, which makes the whole claim a tautological impossibility That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Step‑by‑Step Usage Guide
1. Identify the claim you want to challenge
Pick the statement that sounds overly optimistic or downright absurd. Example: “We’ll finish the project by Friday without any overtime.”
2. Pair it with the first impossible image
Add “when pigs fly” right after the claim.
“We’ll finish the project by Friday, when pigs fly.”
3. Add the second impossible condition for extra punch
Finish with “the devil is an ass.”
“We’ll finish the project by Friday, when pigs fly, and the devil is an ass.”
4. Deliver with the right tone
A deadpan delivery works best in written form; in speech, a slight chuckle signals you’re being playful, not hostile.
Variations That Still Work
- Swap the order: “The devil is an ass when pigs fly.”
- Replace “pigs” with any other unlikely flyer—“when cats take to the air.”
- Swap “devil” for another notorious figure—“the boss is a clown.”
Just keep the two impossible elements; the humor lives in the mismatch.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
1. Using It as a Literal Prediction
Some newbies think the phrase can be a genuine forecast—like, “If the market crashes, then when pigs fly the devil is an ass.” That defeats the purpose. The line is always a joke, never a serious conditional Worth keeping that in mind..
2. Over‑Explaining
You’ll see people break down the phrase in a comment thread, turning a witty quip into a lecture. The charm disappears the moment you start dissecting it for the uninitiated. Let the phrase stand on its own; let readers infer the sarcasm.
3. Dropping One Half
Saying just “when pigs fly” is fine, but if you drop the second half you lose the trademark rhythm that makes the phrase memorable. The double‑impossibility is the secret sauce Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
4. Misplacing the Phrase
Placing it in the middle of a sentence without proper punctuation can make it read like a typo. Use commas or dashes to set it off:
“We’ll launch the product next week—when pigs fly, the devil is an ass.”
5. Ignoring Audience
In a formal business report, sprinkling the line can come off as flippant. Reserve it for casual conversations, blog posts, or social media where a light‑hearted tone is expected.
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
- Test it in a low‑stakes setting first. Try it on a friend or in a private chat. If they smile, you’re good to go.
- Pair it with a visual. A meme of a pig with tiny wings and a devil wearing donkey ears amplifies the humor.
- Use it as a closing line. After a long argument, dropping the phrase can defuse tension: “So, unless pigs start flapping, the deadline stays.”
- Keep it brief. The longer you stretch the phrase, the more it loses impact. One sentence is enough.
- Know the cultural context. If you’re writing for an audience unfamiliar with English idioms, a quick footnote or parenthetical explanation can help: (meaning: never going to happen).
FAQ
Q: Is “when pigs fly the devil is an ass” an actual proverb?
A: Not in the traditional sense. It’s a modern mash‑up of two older idioms, popularized online rather than in formal literature.
Q: Can I use it in a professional email?
A: Only if you know the recipient appreciates humor and the context is informal. In most corporate settings, stick to safer language.
Q: Where did the phrase first appear online?
A: The earliest traceable internet usage is a 2003 forum post on SomethingAwful, where a user used it to mock a “guaranteed” stock market prediction But it adds up..
Q: Does the phrase have any regional variations?
A: In the UK, you’ll sometimes hear “when cows jump over the moon” as a substitute for the pig part, but the devil‑as‑ass half remains rare Not complicated — just consistent..
Q: How do I explain it to someone who’s never heard it?
A: Say, “It’s a tongue‑in‑cheek way of saying ‘that’ll never happen.’”
And there you have it. A phrase that sounds like nonsense at first glance actually packs a neat rhetorical punch. Next time you hear a claim that stretches reality, drop the line, watch the eyes roll, and enjoy the brief moment of shared sarcasm. After all, if pigs ever sprout wings, we’ll all be in for a wild ride.
