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Citation Information
How to Cite
Manser, Martin H. "as good be an addled egg as an idle bird." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 9 May 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=DOP00073>.
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as good be an addled egg as an idle bird

Definition 
Somebody who tries and fails has achieved no less than somebody who does nothing at all; used as a reprimand for idleness or inaction: You could at least go out and try to fix the gate—as good be an addled egg as an idle bird. The proverb was first recorded in 1578: "If I had not bene gathered from the tree in the budde, I should beeing blowne haue proued a blast, and as good as it is to bee an addle egge as an idle bird" (John Lyly, Euphues).

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