#Humble pie meaning how to

It’s more common in British than American English.Ī: Okay yes, of course. And I don’t mean to upset the applecart here, but can you just tell me the origin of “humble pie”?Ī: Ah, that’s another interesting one – dating back to “upsetting the cart” in Roman times, while the exact “applecart” phrase is from the late 1700s. “Spill the beans” was first used in 1902, initially meaning to cause an upset in horse racing or sports, before arriving at today’s “reveal a secret” definition in 1919. The phrase “to eat humble pie” is said in reference to what Macquarie Dictionary describes as “being humiliated” or “forced to apologise”.Ī: Well, the question should really be “why humble?”…Ī: Actually, that’s another foodie phrase. But we applaud your creativity.Ī: Well, let’s start by getting all the rock dwellers up to speed. Q: Is it because ‘a pile of pies’ sounds like ‘apologise’?Ī: Again, no. Specifically, why do we admit fault by eating humble pie? Why not a humble burger or casserole? Is it something to do with pastry?Ī: We’re pretty sure it has nothing to do with pastry. This week we are spilling the beans about eating humble pie.Ī: Oh, do you mean the mathematical constant that is approximately 3.

It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness.

#Humble pie meaning how to

How to Build a Successful Freelance Copywriting BusinessĮach week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness.