Do you remember in the ’80s when they started putting digital watches in everything? Hand-held games, pens, key-rings, telephones, toilet roll holders. My grandmother bought a saucepan with a built-in clock. But it never boiled.
Comment by Alastair on June 27, 2005
Why would you expect a saucepan to boil? (as opposed to its contents)
Comment by Julian on June 27, 2005
That’s a good question. But the person to ask is dead now.
Apparently, the novel, Mary Barton, contained the first mention of this proverb. Search the linked page for “boils,” (including the comma) to find it.
Comment by Alan Green on June 28, 2005
Erk.
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Comment by Alastair on June 27, 2005
Why would you expect a saucepan to boil? (as opposed to its contents)
Comment by Julian on June 27, 2005
That’s a good question. But the person to ask is dead now.
Apparently, the novel, Mary Barton, contained the first mention of this proverb. Search the linked page for “boils,” (including the comma) to find it.
Comment by Alan Green on June 28, 2005
Erk.