tame

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a wild goose never laid a tame egg

proverb Something will not be spontaneously different from that which came before. The phrase is used to describe things that are determined by nature and the environment, or else inherited from the generation before. We must never presume that humanity will be without violence; after all, a wild goose never laid a tame egg.

See also: egg, goose, laid, never, tame, wild

pudding and tame

obsolete A childish rhyme used as a response when asked one's name. Part of a larger call and response: A: "What's your name?" B: "Pudding and tame. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same." A: "What's your name, child?" B: "Pudding and tame!" A: "Son, I asked you a question. You give me a smart-alec response like that again and I'll box your ears!"