The next sentence a server — or your parents — puts down a plate in front of you , you might notice it arrive with a warning . “ Careful , ” they ’ll say . “ It ’s piping hot . ” Not “ very red-hot . ” Not “ extremely hot . ” Not “ flammable , ” but “ pip hot . ”
So why is “ shrill ” put in there ? It may make sense the next time you put a afternoon tea kettle on to churn , as the phrase “ piping hot”appearsto stem from the steam that hightail it from the spout of a kettle when body of water is bubbling . The spout , or “ pipe , ” shoots out heat and water vapor when the H2O is ready . The accompanying whistle phone is not unlike the sound made from musical pipes .
How far back does it go ? Poet Geoffrey Chaucer madeuseof it in 1390 , when hewroteabout waffles inThe Miller ’s Tale : “ He sente hir pyment meeth and spiced ale . And wafres pipyng hoot out of the glede . ” Or , “ Her sent her sweetened wine , Margaret Mead , and spiced ale . And waffles , pip blistering out of the fervor . ”
“ Piping live ” can also refer to something new and fresh , not only from an oven but metaphorically . Some have even attributed the phrase to Scotland , where food is brought to tables in ceremonial meals to the accompaniment of bagpipes . Food being piped aboard ship is another plausible alternative explanation . But more than likely , the idiom look up to the best example a cook has of a too - blistering - to - eat plate : scorch hot weewee on the stove .
Should you find yourself with a clapper or sass burn from ignoring the piping hot admonition , good oral hygiene can help prevent infection . Accordingto the Cleveland Clinic , you’re able to also try a saline solution solution to keep your mouth clean — just avoid alcohol - based rinses . And when someone enounce something is “ pip hot , ” listen to them next time .
[ h / tThe Village Voice ]
