curate's egg

The expression "a curate's egg" means something that is partly good and partly bad and thus not wholly satisfactory. It arose from the publication of a cartoon in Punch on 9 November 1895. The cartoon, drawn by George du Maurier and entitled "True Humility", featured a timid looking curate taking breakfast in his bishop's house.

The bishop says "I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones". Apparently trying not to cause offence the curate replies, "Oh, no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!"

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