By Kathryn Roqueeto 
Language is a powerful tool. It can provoke, persuade, and even perplex. One such perplexing yet captivating phrase is: “The Devil is an Ass When Pigs Fly.” On the surface, this sounds like a chaotic mashup of two idioms. But dig deeper, and you’ll uncover a compelling commentary on irony, satire, and the absurdities of life.
In this post, we’ll explore the origins, meanings, interpretations, and uses of this bizarre phrase. Along the way, we’ll understand why it resonates with those who appreciate humor, skepticism, and a dash of philosophical flair.
What Does “The Devil Is an Ass When Pigs Fly” Even Mean?
To understand this phrase, we need to break it down:
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“The Devil is an Ass” is an old English idiom, originally the title of a 1616 play by Ben Jonson. It implies that even the Devil can be foolish or underestimated.
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“When Pigs Fly” is a sarcastic way to say that something will never happen.
When you combine the two, you get something like: “Even the Devil is a fool in impossible or absurd situations.”
In essence, it mocks unrealistic expectations, or highlights the futility of overconfidence in a world where logic often takes a back seat to chaos.
Why This Phrase Works in the Modern World
In today’s digital age, we are surrounded by contradictions. People sell get-rich-quick schemes while being broke. Politicians promise honesty in a sea of lies. Social media sells authenticity, filtered beyond recognition. Therefore, this phrase resonates because it reflects the absurdity of reality.
Moreover, using satire and irony to express frustration is more relatable than ever. The phrase isn’t just clever—it’s therapeutic. It gives voice to our disbelief in systems, behaviors, or expectations that seem laughably illogical.
A Short History of the Devil Being an “Ass”
Ben Jonson’s 1616 play The Devil is an Ass satirized greed and foolishness in London society. The Devil tries to visit Earth to wreak havoc but quickly realizes that humans are already so corrupt, he’s unnecessary—and out of his depth.
This idea is timeless. Often, the forces we fear most turn out to be less dangerous than our own ignorance. It’s not the Devil that ruins us—it’s our own idiocy, pride, or assumptions.
Even now, you’ll find modern thinkers echoing this idea: that evil is often more banal than terrifying. That’s a theme explored in political commentary, psychology, and even comedy.
Adding “When Pigs Fly” for a Double Dose of Sarcasm
So why add “When Pigs Fly”? Because it amplifies the sarcasm. It implies that even the Devil’s foolishness is only obvious in an impossible scenario. It suggests that recognizing absurdity only happens when things get so wildly improbable that we can no longer ignore them.
Essentially, the phrase becomes a metaphor for how people ignore red flags or foolishness until it’s far too obvious—until pigs are flying and the Devil himself is sitting there looking dumb.
How the Phrase Can Be Used in Everyday Life
Although not commonly heard in casual conversation, this phrase has powerful potential in modern dialogue. Consider these scenarios:
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In politics: “They said they’d fix corruption. Yeah, and the Devil is an ass when pigs fly.”
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In business: “They promised a 200% return with zero risk. The Devil is an ass when pigs fly, right?”
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In love: “He swore he changed, but come on—the Devil is an ass when pigs fly.”
Each time, the phrase highlights the irony and absurdity of the situation. It’s versatile, sharp, and drips with skepticism.
The Role of Irony and Satire in Expression
Language evolves because we need new ways to express evolving feelings. As society becomes more self-aware—and sometimes more ridiculous—our expressions grow more ironic.
The Devil being an ass suggests that power doesn’t equal wisdom. Adding pigs flying turns the phrase into a punchline about impossibility and blind optimism. Together, they create a compact, witty dismissal of naivety or empty promises.
A Tool for Writers, Bloggers, and Creatives
For content creators, this phrase is a goldmine. It immediately draws attention because it’s unusual, vivid, and layered. It offers:
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Humor, without being slapstick.
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Satire, without being cruel.
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Irony, without being confusing.
If you’re writing social commentary, reviews, or even fiction, throwing in this phrase can make your point with personality.
How to SEO-Optimize This Absurdity
You might be wondering: how does any of this help SEO?
Actually, quite a lot.
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Unique phrases like “The Devil is an Ass When Pigs Fly” have low competition but high intrigue.
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Semantic relevance around themes of irony, skepticism, satire, and human behavior helps build contextual depth.
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Long-tail keyword integration (like “absurd idioms,” “satirical expressions,” “Ben Jonson phrase meaning,” etc.) increases your discoverability.
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Transition words (like “however,” “moreover,” “in essence,” “although,” “meanwhile”) improve readability and ranking.
Google favors well-structured, original, and meaningful content—and this hits all those marks.
Variations and Cultural Twists
There are many variations you could explore:
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“The Devil gets demoted when pigs fly.”
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“Even Satan takes a break when pigs take flight.”
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“Hell freezes, pigs fly, and the Devil’s just here watching.”
These twists keep the core idea but adapt it to different tones—humorous, dramatic, or casual.
Additionally, different cultures have their own versions of absurd idioms:
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In French: “Quand les poules auront des dents” (when hens have teeth).
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In Spanish: “Cuando las vacas vuelen” (when cows fly).
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In German: “Wenn Schweine fliegen können” (when pigs can fly).
Combining them with “The Devil is an Ass” could result in some globalized comic gold.
Final Thoughts: Why Absurd Idioms Matter
While it might seem silly, a phrase like “The Devil is an Ass When Pigs Fly” serves a real purpose. It captures our growing sense that the world is full of contradictions. It gives us a linguistic tool to laugh, cope, and call out nonsense when we see it.
So the next time someone makes a ridiculous claim, or pretends ignorance is power, don’t argue. Just smile and say, “Sure… and the Devil is an ass when pigs fly.”
Because really, some things don’t need debate—just a bit of absurd clarity.