APAD: Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.

Meaning:

Promises should not be trusted.

 

Background:

The first recorded use of this expression is by Ridens on Aug 16, 1681.

 

Irish writer and satirist Jonathan Swift, however, popularized the expression in

his 1738 book, Polite Conversation, and thus is often attributed with being the

author of it.

 

    Lady Smart: Ay, thou has a head and so has a pin. But my lord, all the town

    has it that Miss Caper is to be married to Sir Peter Giball; one thing is

    certain that she hath promis'd to have him.

    

    Lord Sparkish: Why, Madam, you know promises are either broken or kept.

    

    Lady A: I beg your pardon, my Lords, promises and pie-crust are made to be

    broken.

 

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I knew "promises are made to be broken" but adding 'pie-crust' spiced up the

saying. It is also briefer than "Promises are like pie crust, they are made to

be broken." I think sometimes one can omit the 2nd half and just say "Promises

are like pie crust."