chalk and cheese

Questions

What does chalk and cheese mean?

Said of things that are very different, though possibly superficially alike.

Where does chalk and cheese come from?

Attested in variant form since 1393. The surface of some cheeses, particularly unaged ones, resembles the surface of chalk: white, crumbling, but in substance cheese is much softer than chalk. It is interesting to note that lime chalk and cottage cheese forms a glue-like material used in the restoration of ancient half-timbered houses, perhaps suggesting an alternative original meaning.

How to pronounce chalk and cheese

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “chalk and cheese”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “chalk and cheese”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “chalk and cheese” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.