The phrase "when pigs fly" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something that is highly unlikely to happen. The correct spelling of this phrase is /wɛn pɪɡz flaɪ/. The "wh" sound is represented by the letter "w," which is followed by the short "ɛ" sound in "when." "Pigs" is spelled with a "p" and a short "ɪ" sound followed by a hard "g." Finally, "fly" is spelled with a "f" and a long "aɪ" diphthong, which represents the dip in the sound when transitioning from "ah" to "ee."
The phrase "when pigs fly" is an idiomatic expression often used in informal contexts to convey extreme skepticism or doubt about the realization of a certain event or possibility. This phrase is used humorously or sarcastically to indicate that something is highly unlikely or improbable to happen. The origins of this expression can be traced back to early 17th-century English literature, where it was initially used in the form of "pigs fly with their tails forward" as a way to illustrate unimaginable or absurd scenarios.
The phrase has evolved over time to its current form and has become a frequently used idiom in English language conversation. It is often employed to express skepticism towards the likelihood of a particular occurrence, emphasizing the notion that the event in question is so improbable that even the most fantastical or impossible things, such as pigs soaring through the sky, would have to happen before it could become a reality. Consequently, "when pigs fly" has become a figurative way of expressing excessive disbelief or impossibility, serving as a humorous and light-hearted means of dismissing improbable ideas or suggestions.