my pigs fly!

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New2grammar  #511829  Fri, 09 May 08 11:36 PM

"Yes, indeed, I do love you, love you
My, my, pigs might fly"

What does the bolded expression mean? I'm halluciting?

Thanks!

  
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Ant_222  #511833  Fri, 09 May 08 11:40 PM
The possibility of a fact/event is compared to that of pigs' flying.
  
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New2grammar  #511838  Fri, 09 May 08 11:45 PM

So you say that to someone you don't love?

  
Huevos  #511839  Fri, 09 May 08 11:47 PM
 No. You say it to someone who claims to love you but you believe does not.
  
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Clive  #511842  Fri, 09 May 08 11:48 PM

Hi,

Yes, indeed, I do love you, love you
My, my, pigs might fly"

What does the bolded expression mean? I'm halluciting? No.

'My, my!' is a common expression of surprise.

'Pigs might fly' (with slight variations in wording) is an idiomatic way of saying 'Impossible things may be possible'. Depending on the context and the way it is said, it may mean that the thing won't happen, or that it will.

eg

A: Lend me $5, please . I'll pay you back tomorrow.

B: Yeah, right, pigs might fly.

or (tomorrow)

B: Here's the $5 I owe you.

A: Well, pigs might fly. Thank you.

Best wishes, Clive

A:'ll pay . or .

  
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