The Proof is not in the Pudding
Common sayings we often get wrong
Common sayings, proverbs or idioms, are really useful as they help us communicate quickly, due to a shared understanding of what they mean. That said, there are some strange ones in the English language and they are often mis-quoted.
‘The proof in the pudding is in the eating’
This one dates back to the 14th Century. Some attribute it to the Spanish writer Cervantes, who penned Don Quixote. The earliest evidence of it being used in English was in 1605. At the time, puddings would have been a savoury dish, like a sausage.
Often misquoted as ‘the proof is in the pudding’ it is quite a simple one, but regularly misused. Obviously, to prove a pudding is tasty, or to prove anything, one must eat some or try it first.
