Interpretation
The proverb "chicken and egg question" is a metaphorical expression used to
describe situations where it is impossible to determine which of two things
came first, as they are mutually dependent on each other.
The phrase comes from the philosophical puzzle of whether the chicken or the
egg came first. This dilemma arises because chickens hatch from eggs, while
eggs are laid by chickens. The question asks if the first chicken came from
an egg laid by a non-chicken or if a non-chicken evolved into a chicken that
then laid the first chicken egg.
Other phrases similar to "chicken and egg question" include "the chicken or
the fox," "the cart before the horse," "which came first, the chicken or the
omelet?" and "which came first, the chicken or the rooster?" These
expressions convey situations where determining the chronological order or
causal relationship between two things is challenging. While often used in a
lighthearted manner, they can also address profound philosophical problems.
- englishdaily626.com [edited]
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In "The Sun Also Rises," Jake, an American journalist in Paris and Bill, a
successful writer from Chicago, were having lunch during their fishing trip.
Here's part of their dialogue
We unwrapped the little parcels of lunch.
"Chicken."
"There's hard-boiled eggs."
"Find any salt?"
"First the egg," said Bill. "Then the chicken. Even Bryan could see that."
"He's dead. I read it in the paper yesterday."
"No. Not really?"
"Yes. Bryan's dead."
Bill laid down the egg he was peeling.
"Gentlemen," he said, and unwrapped a drumstick from a piece of newspaper.
"I reverse the order. For Bryan's sake. As a tribute to the Great Commoner.
First the chicken; then the egg."
"Wonder what day God created the chicken?"
"Oh," said Bill, sucking the drumstick, "how should we know? We should not
question. Our stay on earth is not for long. Let us rejoice and believe and
give thanks."
"Eat an egg."
Bill gestured with the drumstick in one hand and the bottle of wine in the other.
"Let us rejoice in our blessings. Let us utilize the fowls of the air. Let us
utilize the product of the vine. Will you utilize a little, brother?"
"After you, brother."
Bill took a long drink.
"Utilize a little, brother," he handed me the bottle. "Let us not doubt,
brother. Let us not pry into the holy mysteries of the hencoop with simian
fingers. Let us accept on faith and simply say--I want you to join with me
in saying--What shall we say, brother?"
