- Meaning
- This idiom describes a failure or flop, particularly in a performance or endeavor, as if producing something as useless as an unfertilized egg. It conveys a disappointing outcome, often used in entertainment, business, or creative contexts to critique poor results. The phrase carries a tone of ridicule, disappointment, or humor, reflecting cultural values of success and the human tendency to mock failure. Its poultry imagery evokes a comical misfire, resonating in scenarios like bad shows or projects. The idiom pokes fun at flops, making it a lighthearted metaphor for unsuccessful efforts.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in early 20th-century America, tied to vaudeville slang where a bad performance ‘laid an egg’ with audiences, as noted in *Variety* (1920s). Its earliest recorded use appears in *The New York Times* (1910s), describing a failed play. The idiom gained traction in the 1930s, amplified by Hollywood and radio, notably in Bugs Bunny cartoons. Its spread was boosted by entertainment media and sports, enduring in the U.S. for its vivid imagery and applicability to failure.
- Variants
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- Laid an egg
- Laying an egg
- Lay a big egg
- Examples
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- The new movie laid an egg at the box office.
- Laying an egg, his speech bored the entire audience.
- They laid a big egg with that poorly planned campaign.
- Lay an egg, she did, with her off-key performance.
- The product launch laid an egg, failing to attract customers.
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