humble pie

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A pie made from the offal of deer or hog.
  2. Humility, being humble.

Pronunciation

en-au-humble pie.ogg

Word forms

humble pie humble pies humble-pie

Etymology

The expression derives from umble pie, the original name of the offal meat pie, considered inferior food. In medieval times the pie was often served to lower-class people. Although "umbles" and the modern word "humble" are etymologically unrelated, each word has appeared both with and without the initial "h" after the Middle Ages until the 19th century.

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