Why Do People Say The Proof Is In The Pudding?

If you want to express that a given thing's quality can only be ascertained through firsthand experience, or if you're referring to a truth that's thoroughly supported by evidence, you might say, "the proof is in the pudding." It is one of those sayings that has become so established that you don't give much thought to how weird it actually sounds. When the heck did pudding come into the equation? Why pudding, specifically? Were those little chocolate pudding cups really something that needed to be thoroughly investigated for authenticity? Well, if it makes you feel any better, the full version of the saying makes a lot more sense — as does the fact that it's not referring to pudding as you are likely thinking of it.

The full version of the quote is: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." This means just what it sounds like: The only way to determine the quality of a pudding is by tasting it. The phrase was coined back in the 17th century, when the word "proof" referred primarily to a test of quality (as in "proving one's worth") rather than the modern usage, meaning "evidence."

So where does pudding come into this? Well, the "pudding" of the saying doesn't refer to chocolate pudding cups, nor banana pudding (the beloved Southern dessert), nor vanilla pudding (which is the trick to excellent French toast). It doesn't even refer to dessert in general, as is often the case in the United Kingdom. It refers instead to savory pudding, which consists of minced meat wrapped in some kind of skin or other casing and boiled. (Not to be confused with Yorkshire puddings, aka popovers, either.) Haggis and black pudding are the two most (in)famous examples of savory pudding, and have garnered a stomach-turning reputation that's frankly unearned: They're essentially just sausage.

In any case, the saying came about because, due to the skin surrounding the meat, it was hard to tell exactly when a savory pudding was fully cooked. The only way to know for sure was to cut it open and taste for yourself. While it might be slightly less appetizing than chocolate pudding, it is no less fascinating.