Curate's egg

The expression, "a curate's egg" means something that is partly good and partly bad and as a result is not wholly satisfactory, but also not completely unsatisfactory either. An example in conversational use would be, "How was your holiday?" "Somewhat of a curate's egg I'm afraid, the hotel was lovely, but it rained a lot."

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The phrase first appeared in a cartoon in the humorous British magazine Punch on 9 November 1895. Drawn by George du Maurier and entitled "True Humility", it featured a timid looking curate taking breakfast in his bishop's house.

Related Topics:
Cartoon - Punch - 9 November - 1895 - George du Maurier - Curate - Bishop

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The Bishop says "I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones". Apparently trying not to cause offence the curate replies, "Oh, no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!"

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