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1. What is 'The pot calling the kettle black'?
'The pot calling the kettle black' is used to indicate that someone is accusing another person of a fault or negative behavior that they themselves are guilty of. The idiom implies hypocrisy, as it suggests that the accuser is also guilty of the same thing. It is often used in situations when someone criticizes others for something they have done or are doing themselves. In Vietnamese, there is a similar saying which is 'chó chê mèo lắm lông.'
Example 1:
- Tom: You really need to stop gossiping about others! Cậu thực sự cần ngưng nói xấu về người khác!
- Sarah: Excuse me? The pot calling the kettle black much? You gossip more than anyone else! Xin lỗi? Cậu tự nói mình đấy à? Cậu nói xấu nhiều hơn ai hết đấy!
Example 2:
- Alex: You’re always late for meetings. Cậu luôn đến muộn trong các cuộc họp.
- Chris: Hey, the pot calling the kettle black! You were late yesterday too! Này, cậu tự nói mình đấy à! Cậu cũng đến muộn ngày hôm qua nữa mà!
Example 3:
- Emily: You eat so much junk food. It’s not healthy. Cậu ăn rất nhiều đồ ăn vặt. Không lành mạnh đâu.
- Mike: Seriously? The pot calling the kettle black! I’ve seen you with a bag of chips every day this week! Nghiêm túc à? Cậu tự nói mình sao! Tôi thấy cậu mang theo một túi snack mỗi ngày trong tuần này!
Example 4:
- Lisa: You shouldn’t be watching so much TV; it’s a waste of time. Cậu không nên xem TV nhiều như vậy; nó là lãng phí thời gian.
- John: Oh please, the pot calling the kettle black! You binge-watched a whole season last weekend! Ôi trời, cậu cũng tự nói mình đấy! Cậu xem trọn một mùa phim vào cuối tuần trước mà!
Example 5:
- Maria: You’re always on your phone. Put it down and enjoy the moment! Cậu luôn nghịch điện thoại. Đặt xuống và tận hưởng khoảnh khắc đi!
- Mark: Seriously? The pot calling the kettle black! I’ve seen you taking selfies every time we go out. Nghiêm túc à? Cậu cũng tự nói mình đấy! Tôi thấy cậu tự sướng mỗi khi chúng ta đi chơi.
2. Origins of the phrase 'The pot calling the kettle black'
The earliest appearance of the phrase may be from Thomas Shelton's 1620 translation of the Spanish novel Don Quixote.
The main character becomes increasingly dissatisfied under the criticism of his servant Sancho Panza, one of the criticisms being 'You are like what is said that the frying-pan said to the kettle, 'Avant, black-browes'.' The Spanish text here is: Dijo el sartén a la caldera, Quítate allá ojinegra (Said the frying pan to the kettle, black eyes get out of there). It is identified as a proverb (refrán) in the text, functioning as a retort to those who criticize others for a flaw that they clearly also possess.
In some variations, the phrase 'frying-pan calls the pot culinegra (black bottom)' clarifies that they are soiled by contact with cooking fire.
This translation is also recorded in English shortly thereafter as “The pot calls the pan burnt-arse” in John Clarke's collection of proverbs, “Paroemiologia Anglo-Latina” (1639). A closer approach to the current expression was coined by William Penn in his collection, “Some Fruits of Solitude in Reflections and Maxims” (1682):
“If thou hast not conquer’d thy self in that which is thy own particular Weakness, thou hast no Title to Virtue, tho’ thou art free of other Men’s. For a Covetous Man to inveigh against Prodigality, an Atheist against Idolatry, a Tyrant against Rebellion, or a Lyer against Forgery, and a Drunkard against Intemperance, is for the Pot to call the Kettle black.”
3. Usage of the Idiom 'The pot calling the kettle black'
3.1. Used to indicate hypocrisy
This proverb is often used to point out hypocrisy when someone accuses others of a behavior they themselves also engage in. This frequently occurs when the criticizer fails to recognize their own similar situation.
Eg: Jane criticized Mark for not recycling, but she drives a gas-guzzling SUV. It’s like criticizing herself.
3.2. Used to object when criticized
The proverb can be used as a strong objection when someone is criticized and they want to retort or criticize back.
Eg: Mike told Sarah to be more organized at work, and she replied, “You’re talking! Your desk is messy too!”
3.3. Used to criticize someone who has done a similar thing
This proverb is often used to highlight the inconsistency between someone's words and actions. They accuse others of a behavior they themselves engage in or something similar.
Eg: Tom criticized his friend for being lazy, and his friend replied, “You’re criticizing yourself! I’ve seen you sleeping in the office.”
3.4. Used to talk about inconsistency in behavior
It can also be used when someone criticizes a positive behavior they find important but do not practice or do not practice correctly.
Eg: Lisa said, “You should exercise more,” and Chris replied, “The pot calling the kettle black! I’ve never seen you at the gym.” Lisa nói, “Cậu nên tập thể dục nhiều hơn,” và Chris đáp, “Cậu tự nói mình đấy! Tôi chưa bao giờ thấy cậu ở trong phòng tập.”
3.5. Used to criticize appearance
This proverb can also be used to criticize the appearance or style of the speaker when they have similar issues themselves.
Example: When Sam told Alex to dress more professionally, Alex replied, “You’re criticizing yourself! Your tie is crooked.” Khi Sam nói với Alex nên mặc lịch sự hơn, Alex đáp, “Tự nói mình đấy sao! Cà vạt của anh bị nghiêng kìa.”
4. Dialogue with The pot calling the kettle black
- Alice: Hey, John, you really should cut down on your social media usage. It’s not healthy. Chào, John, anh nên giảm thời gian sử dụng mạng xã hội đi chút. Không tốt cho sức khỏe đâu.
- John: Seriously, Alice? The pot calling the kettle black! I’ve seen you scrolling through your feeds for hours. Nghiêm túc đấy à, Alice? Cậu đang tự nói mình đấy! Tôi thấy cậu online liên tục mấy giờ đấy.
- Alice: Well, that’s different. I use it for staying informed and networking. Thì khác mà. Tôi sử dụng nó để cập nhật thông tin và tin tức.
- John: And I use it to relax and unwind. See, it’s like the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it? Và tôi sử dụng nó để thư giãn và giải tỏa stress. Đó, giống như đang tự phê bình chính mình, phải không?
- Alice: Hmm, maybe we both need to find a better balance then. Hmm, có lẽ cả hai chúng ta đều cần tìm một sự cân bằng tốt hơn.
- John: Agreed. It’s just funny how we both have our reasons but end up giving each other a hard time about it. Đồng tình. Nó chỉ là hài hước làm sao, chúng ta đều có lý do riêng nhưng lại làm khó nhau về nó.
- Alice: Yeah, it’s a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, I suppose. Phải, đó là một trường hợp kinh điển của cái nồi gọi ấm đen thôi chứ.
5. Other words and phrases synonymous with the idiom The pot calling the kettle black
Here are some words and phrases synonymous with The pot calling the kettle black:
| Từ đồng nghĩa | Ý nghĩa | Ví dụ |
| Hypocrisy | Đạo đức giả | Criticizing others for being lazy while not working hard yourself is the epitome of hypocrisy. |
| Double standard | Tiêu chuẩn kép | Sarah has a double standard when it comes to punctuality; she’s always late but gets upset if others are. |
| Irony | Mỉa mai, châm biếm | It’s the irony of the situation that she criticized my spending habits while maxing out her credit card. |
| Selective criticism | Chỉ trích chọn lọc | John engages in selective criticism, pointing out others’ mistakes but ignoring his own. |
| Pot meet kettle | Nồi gặp ấm | Jane accusing Mark of being disorganized is like the pot calling the kettle black—they both have cluttered desks. |
6. Words and phrases antonymous with the idiom The pot calling the kettle black
Here are some words and phrases antonymous with The pot calling the kettle black:
| Từ trái nghĩa | Ý nghĩa | Ví dụ |
| Consistency | Sự nhất quán | Sarah always practices what she preaches; there’s no inconsistency in her actions. |
| Integrity | Chính trực | Tom is a man of integrity; he would never criticize others for something he does himself. |
| Self-awareness | Tự nhận thức | Having self-awareness means recognizing your own faults before pointing out others’. |
| Genuineness | Tính chân thành | Jenny appreciates genuineness; she dislikes people who criticize without genuine concern. |
| Self-reflection | Tự nhìn nhận bản thân | Before criticizing others, it’s important to engage in self-reflection to understand one’s own shortcomings. |
