Francophonie· easy· informal
quand les poules auront des dents
“when hens will have teeth”
Meaning
Never
Explanation
This expression means that something will never happen, referring to an impossible biological condition (hens don't have teeth).
Example
Il te remboursera quand les poules auront des dents.
He'll pay you back when hens have teeth.
Origin
Goes back to at least the late 18th century. Hens don't have teeth, so the expression sets an impossible condition.
Source
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