Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the proof of the pudding is in the eating

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.55 in modern English

Syllables: the proof of the pud-ding is in the eat-ing
IPA

56

Scrabble Score

33

Letters

3

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

One can only claim that something is a success after it has been tried out or used.

Example Sentences

"I know you didn't think it was a very good product, but just look at the fantastic sales figures. That's the proof of the pudding."
"Mrs. Atkins—Say what you've a mind to, Kate, the proof of the puddin's in the eatin'; and you can't deny that things have been goin' from bad to worse ever since your husband died two years back."
"This is an armchair criticism, and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating."
"CHAPTER XXI Meeting at Geneva The proof of the pudding is in the eating. -Traditional aphorism"
"Indeed, the proof of the pudding is in the eating."
"It begs the question: will this be a costly mistake? I think not, but the proof of the pudding is in a RAIL train test - so armed with stopwatch, measuring tape and notepad, it was time to head north to track one down and test it!"

Etymology

First attested in William Camden's Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine (1605) as “All the proofe of a pudding, is in the eating.”

Inflected Forms

the proof is in the eating (alternative, rare) the proof is in the pudding (alternative) proof of the pudding (alternative)

Questions

What does the proof of the pudding is in the eating mean?: One can only claim that something is a success after it has been tried out or used.
Where does the proof of the pudding is in the eating come from?: First attested in William Camden's Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine (1605) as “All the proofe of a pudding, is in the eating.”

How to pronounce the proof of the pudding is in the eating

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