# phrase origin **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrase-origin/225684 "2004-01-23T00:30:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TwungTister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TwungTister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwungTister)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrase-origin/225684/1 "2004-01-23T00:30:57Z")
Dear Cecil… Proof of what is in the pudding? T.T. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrase-origin/225684/2 "2004-01-23T01:18:51Z")
The _proof_ of the pudding is in the eating. Proof means to test something, to find out if it is indeed what it purports to be. Doing, using, knowing, having something gives us insight into its reality. How better to know if a pudding is indeed a pudding, good,bad or indifferent, than by eating it, since a pudding exists to be eaten. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrase-origin/225684/3 "2004-01-23T01:26:57Z")
[The Word Detective says that the proof of the pudding is in the eating.](http://www.word-detective.com/081100.html#proofpudding) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrase-origin/225684/4 "2004-01-23T01:37:31Z")
> **[Penguin Random House](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com?date=19961022)** > > Committed to publishing great books, connecting readers and authors globally, and spreading the love of reading.