Paola Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Does anybody know the saying about teaching your grandmother to suck eggs? Also does anybody know when it first came about and why? It’s driving me mad that I cannot remember the saying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 What does the saying actually mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 (edited) When people say 'don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs', they mean that people shouldn't try to teach someone who has experience or is an expert in that area. Try This site Edited May 29, 2006 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 found this: "don’t give needless assistance or presume to offer advice to an expert." there you go... BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Why would a Nan want to suck eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Back in 'olden times' when dentists were a mere wish, many little old ladies (those that made it that far) had very few or no teeth. As lots of people had hens, a major food source was eggs. Nan would have a softie (or raw, I believe) as it was soft and could be sucked up easily. Hence the saying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Great knowledge Helen! Any chance of reaching 1000 tonight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 I thank you for your plaudits. I'm a mine of really useless information... I'm working on it Martin. To think that at one stage I had more posts than you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 1 more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 Thank you girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavey Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 I was always taught that the history behind the saying "Don't try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs," was to do with testing eggs for freshness. If you put a fresh egg to your lips the pointy end will feel warm but the blunt end will stay cold due to the air sack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Cavey, for all I know it could be that - much more prosaic than my info! Thats the beauty of these old sayings, they can be shrouded in mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
