Pot.Kettle.Black

[jorton]

What is the origin of the saying 'Thats the same as the pot calling the kettle black'?

[andy hughes]

On old cooking ranges, the bottom of the kettle would become black over time, with standing for most of its time on a hot plate. Similarly, any cooking pots would become equally black, hence the notion of one degrading the other for its appearence, which is identical to that of the caller. This has expanded into general use, to mean criticising someone for doing what the critic does equally. Personally I prfefer the more modern version - "That's a pot and kettle coincidence!"

[Andromeda]

An old bf used to say: "Oy, Pot! This is kettle. You're black!" Very amusing.

[Andromeda]

(And of course I just got the above completely the wrong way round...) "Oy, Kettle! This is Pot. You're black!"

Darn not being able to edit your own posts...