The English We Speak – Proof is in the pudding

Aug 212014

BBC Learning English: The English We Speak – Proof is in the pudding phrase means you can only judge the quality of something after you’ve tried it or used it.

Rob challenges Helen to a word game to work out a funny sounding phrase. It’s about a style of walk and means to force someone who is unwilling to move forward, to walk somewhere but what has it got to do with frogs?

_______Show Transcript______

Rob: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I am Rob.

Feifei: Hello everyone. I am Feifei.

Rob: Can you guess what I have brought for you to try?

Feifei: No, but I hope it’s not one of those… errr, disgusting pies you always make.

Rob: Hey, come on Feifei have some faith in me. I know you like fried dumplings a lot, so I have made these pork and chive dumplings especially for you!

Feifei: Fried dumplings? They look more like burnt dumplings.

Rob: Just try one – I’m sure you’ll like it.

Feifei: Rob, they just don’t look that appetising.

Rob: Trust me Feifei, the proof is in the pudding.

Feifei: In the pudding? Aren’t these supposed to be dumplings?

Rob: Yes, these are dumplings. But I used the phrase ‘the proof is in the pudding’ to mean you can only judge the quality of something after you’ve tried it or used it.

Feifei: I see. So ‘the proof is in the pudding’ is actually a real saying?

Rob: Yes, it is. In the old days, people used to say ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’ – which means you have to eat the pudding to know what’s inside it.

Feifei: I like that saying. Although it does mean I’ve got to try your dumplings to know how bad they are.

Rob: Oh Feifei! Just give them a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Feifei: OK, OK. I’ll try some. But first, let’s hear some examples of how to use the phrase ‘the proof is in the pudding’.

A: I don’t believe this new flash washing machine can save water and energy.
B: But you haven’t used it yet. The proof is the pudding.
A: This second-hand car does look a bit old – can you still drive it?
B: Well, why don’t you test drive it? The proof is in the pudding.
A: Do you think this will work?
B: I don’t know. But let’s wait and see – the proof is in the pudding.

Rob: Remember, in English we use the saying ‘the proof is in the pudding’ to mean you can judge the value or the quality of something only after you have tried it, experienced it or used it.

Feifei: (Feifei munching away…) Mmmm, yes, yes…

Rob: So Feifei, do you like the dumplings?

Feifei: Yes, I do Rob. I really like the pork and chive filling.

Rob: I’ve finally made something you like!

Feifei: As you say Rob: “the proof is in the pudding”!

Rob: Thank you for listening to The English We Speak.

Feifei: And do check out our website bbclearningenglish.com for more useful phrases.

Rob: Bye.

Feifei: Bye bye.

The English We Speak – Proof is in the pudding Transcript Video