Latest Breaking News

George II

(67,782 posts)

33. It's a very common expression, I've heard it hundreds, if not thousands, of times.....

Mon Feb 10, 2014, 11:50 AM

Feb 2014

...in my life. In fact I've heard it a number of times on television. There was a song by the group "Small Sins" about it.

Even the Urban Dictionary has a non-ethnic/racial definition:

pot calling the kettle black

This is a phrase that states that the person you are talking to is calling you something that they themselves are (and generally in abundance).

This comes from old times when pots and pans were generally black and kettles were generally metallic and reflective. Therefore the pot sees its black reflection in the kettle and thinks that the kettle is black.

*this can also sometimes be shortened to "pot, kettle, black."*

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pot%20calling%20the%20kettle%20black

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Lawyers for Christie administration seeking documents, interview with Hoboken mayor [View all] George II Feb 2014 OP

Stay strong Mayor Zimmer. You have been very brave to stand up to... Walk away Feb 2014 #1

+++ 1,000,000 +++ n/t RKP5637 Feb 2014 #6

I would have two words for them: Radio silence Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2014 #2

Love it! SunSeeker Feb 2014 #12

I would have 4 words and a number on my answering machine/voice mail: ReRe Feb 2014 #21

The constitution gives suspected criminals the right to see the evidence against them. iandhr Feb 2014 #3

Don't worry. The rules in federal court cases provide for the exchange of documents and JDPriestly Feb 2014 #4

The documents are there, she just refused the "invitation to a private interview" George II Feb 2014 #7

He needs to take it up with the US Attorney's office. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2014 #14

Yeah it's called discovery & doesn't come until giftedgirl77 Feb 2014 #28

Prepare for attempted Character assassination attempts on Mayor Zimmer diabeticman Feb 2014 #5

I'm sure Mayor Zimmer is.. they are nothing Cha Feb 2014 #9

I hear she once left a messy table in her High School cafeteria. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2014 #15

They'll go back to Cha Feb 2014 #18

Good on Mayor Dawn Zimmer! Cha Feb 2014 #8

Kicked and Recommending! sheshe2 Feb 2014 #10

What Is The Purpose Of Mastro's Stunt DallasNE Feb 2014 #11

Anyone who thinks it is racist hasn't cooked on a gas or wood stove. JDPriestly Feb 2014 #20

The Full Quote Is "Pot calling kettle black ass" DallasNE Feb 2014 #24

I have never heard that in my life. Maybe that is the Southern or Texas version, but I never JDPriestly Feb 2014 #25

Yes, Sharing The Same Quality As A Black Ass DallasNE Feb 2014 #26

I've only known the two Wikipedia definitions that I quoted. JDPriestly Feb 2014 #27

I've lived all over the country and never once heard what you're referring to. Your family okaawhatever Feb 2014 #29

It's a very common expression, I've heard it hundreds, if not thousands, of times..... George II Feb 2014 #33

Yeah, but they're discussing "crack" so.... George II Feb 2014 #32

"It Takes One To Know One" DallasNE Feb 2014 #38

My mother used the phrase 'pot calling the kettle black' and she was from Australia. Demit Feb 2014 #39

No, Christie, she's not letting you get info to coach your liars...er...witnesses. nt SunSeeker Feb 2014 #13

A sitdown with the Capo di tutti capi, huh? I don't think so. DeSwiss Feb 2014 #16

What An Interesting Letter.... Laxman Feb 2014 #17

A team that includes five former federal prosecutors? JDPriestly Feb 2014 #22

So This Is An Example Of What Taxpayers In New Jersey Get For $650 An Hour DallasNE Feb 2014 #19

5 former prosecutors. That's incredible. And maybe not too smart. JDPriestly Feb 2014 #23

Well, what did they get for the extra $25 million they spent for the Booker election? Nothing except okaawhatever Feb 2014 #30

Standard discovery techniques. If you provide info to prosecutors, same info must be given to yellowcanine Feb 2014 #31

Only after an indictment leftynyc Feb 2014 #35

If they want the documents from Zimmerman why don't they just ask the US Prosecutor bigdarryl Feb 2014 #34

I may be wrong, but she didn't balk at providing documents, just giving them an "interview" George II Feb 2014 #36

I have to check on that because Steve reported she gave them documents also bigdarryl Feb 2014 #37