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Can't make an omlette without breaking eggs....

Posted by Masakim on May 08, 2003

In Reply to: Can't make an omlette without breaking eggs.... posted by ESC on May 08, 2003

: : Hi, could anyone enlighten me as to the origin of this expression? I know it's attributed to Lenin, but the Russian phrase for this is literally "to chop down a forest, splinters will fly" ("lyes rubyat, shchepki letyat") - so what made this become a culinary reference in English?

: : Thanks,

: : Paul

: All my Oxford Dictionary of Quotes says is that it is a proverb, mid-19th century.

On ne fait pas d'omelette sans casser des oeufs [or On ne peut pas faire des omelettes sans casser les oeufs] (attributed to Robespierre and Napoleon)

We are walking upon eggs, and whether we tread East or tread West, the omelet wiil not be made without breaking of some. (T.P. Thompson, _Audi Alteram Partem_, 1859)

"My dear Miss Flora, you cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs," said I. (R.L. Stevenson, _St. Ives_, 1894)

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