Totally Unrelated To Anything Lotus..

[bermudabob]

I'm having a discussion in the office with a bunch of people, the main gist of which is: where does the phrase 'Teaching your grandmother to suck eggs' come from?

 

Its a slow day obviously...

 

Various questions arise - why your grannie? why eggs? whats the point?

 

Anyone got any ideas or knowledge on this vitally important question?

[Carlylove]

I seem to remember having a similar discussion and the outcome was something to do with removal of an eggs contents via a small hole made by a pin. Seem to recall it was so the eggs would last after painting. Obviously as granny was the eldest she would not need to be taught!

[gerags]

Doesn't exactly answer your question, but it points to the origins here...

 

Grandmother, sucking eggs.

 

Or at the bottom of this page.

 

Another

[bermudabob]

Having done the egg emptying thing as a kid, you actually blow the gunk out od a hole in the bottom, via a hole in the top... so it really should be 'teaching your grandmother to blow eggs'. which brings up myriad disturbing images...