Expression: as sure as eggs are eggs

Makhtar · #1 (permalink) Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:27 am *Expression: as sure as eggs are eggs*

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #22 "Egg expressions", question 1

I'm pretty certain but perhaps I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm as sure as eggs is eggs.

(a) fairly sure
(b) quite sure
(c) reasonably sure
(d) absolutely sure

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #22 "Egg expressions", answer 1

I'm pretty certain but perhaps I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm absolutely sure.

Correct answer: (d) absolutely sure

Your answer was: correct
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Why not "Quite sure"?

Makhtar

Torsten · #2 (permalink) Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:31 am *Expression: as sure as eggs are eggs*

Because when you are as sure as eggs is eggs, you more than just quite sure - you are absolutely sure.
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Haihao · #3 (permalink) Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:49 am *Expression: as sure as eggs are eggs*

Hi,

Is it for the rhyme's sake that the idiom uses is instead of are in as sure as eggs is eggs or are there other reasons?

haihao

Mister Micawber · #4 (permalink) Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:23 am *Expression: as sure as eggs are eggs*

.
Eggs is eggs to me sounds like a slightly substandard English, which would suggest that anyone knows that obviously eggs are eggs, including those with poorer language skills.

By the way, Torsten, in AmE at least, quite can also mean completely/perfectly/absolutely.
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