The summer of my postdoc in Germany, the lab had a picnic, and everyone was supposed to bring something. I decided that deviled eggs would be just the thing, but my supervisor did not recognize the name or understand my description. This really surprised me, both because he had done a postdoc at the University of Georgia and because these are EXACTLY the sort of things I would expect Germans to eat. At any rate, I made them for the picnic, and when he SAW them, he said, “Ach! Gefüllte Eier!” Yes, they eat them, but being much more literal, they just call deviled eggs “filled eggs”.
The origin of the term “deviled” seems to be rather obscure, perhaps intentionally so. It seems that back in earlier times, back before modern refrigeration and food processing standards were developed, one might add a lot of spice and pickles to cover up the flavor of some food that had gone somewhat “off.” That reached its pinnacle in the Chicago meat-packing industry at the end of the 19th Century. They would gather, process, cook, “de-vile” with spice & such, and then can accumulated scrap meat. Hence, “de-viled” ham or whatever. Tasty stuff!
Actually, it’s the cooking technique. Although, as I think about it I’m not sure deviled eggs should really qualify anymore. At least not the way we make them. The technique is a refernce to a spicy sauce, or just a bit spicy in general (I make deviled turkey using an 1860s recipe and there is nothing spicy about the sauce in the recipe, but it does require you use some cayenne on the turkey itself). Our deviled eggs don’t have any spiciness to them. Not sure too many make them very spicy anymore.
Last I recalled, the Devil doesn’t do the actual hurling into the fiery pit; that is God’s job. what the Devil does is he leads souls into said fiery pit.
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
As the Jewish director said to the real bad actor in To Be or Not to Be (1942):
“You are something I wouldn’t eat!”
BasilBruce over 2 years ago
I do not like deviled eggs and ham,
I will not eat them, Rat-I-Am.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 2 years ago
So Pig should listen to a fellow who was once alive.
Cactus-Pete over 2 years ago
Looks like only half an egg to me.
ronaldspence over 2 years ago
that’s a he(LL) of a meal!
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 2 years ago
Reminds me of the old line about a breakfast of ham’n’eggs: The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed!
Wilde Bill over 2 years ago
The ham might say something to pig about cannibalism.
AtariDragon over 2 years ago
The summer of my postdoc in Germany, the lab had a picnic, and everyone was supposed to bring something. I decided that deviled eggs would be just the thing, but my supervisor did not recognize the name or understand my description. This really surprised me, both because he had done a postdoc at the University of Georgia and because these are EXACTLY the sort of things I would expect Germans to eat. At any rate, I made them for the picnic, and when he SAW them, he said, “Ach! Gefüllte Eier!” Yes, they eat them, but being much more literal, they just call deviled eggs “filled eggs”.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Just in passing: You might like to try making your deviled eggs using curry powder instead of mustard. Rave reviews at potlucks I’ve brought them to.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 2 years ago
That is SO true.
iggyman over 2 years ago
Deviled eggs are good! Ham, ok once a year!
iggyman over 2 years ago
Quick, grab that egg and boil the heck out of it! The real word is banned)!
jmarkoff2 over 2 years ago
I do not like deviled eggs and ham, I do not like them, Satan-I-Am!
stillfickled Premium Member over 2 years ago
I love deviled eggs.
jel354 over 2 years ago
That dish is salty enough.
Cminuscomics&stories Premium Member over 2 years ago
Substitute spam and save your soul… if you can gag it down.
Purple People Eater over 2 years ago
I thought he was the ham.
PaulAbbott2 over 2 years ago
Deviled eggs make a more noxious sound when they leave the body
ltpete over 2 years ago
Ham and eggs: A day’s work for the chicken…a lifetime commitment for the pig…
detroitpete over 2 years ago
Ham? Ham! Is that Pig’s uncle?
bobbyferrel over 2 years ago
C’mon. My Dad’s got a boat.
walstib Premium Member over 2 years ago
Devil’s food cake for dessert.
YippiKiAyMofo over 2 years ago
Deviled eggs are truly the scion of satan.
Alexander the Good Enough over 2 years ago
The origin of the term “deviled” seems to be rather obscure, perhaps intentionally so. It seems that back in earlier times, back before modern refrigeration and food processing standards were developed, one might add a lot of spice and pickles to cover up the flavor of some food that had gone somewhat “off.” That reached its pinnacle in the Chicago meat-packing industry at the end of the 19th Century. They would gather, process, cook, “de-vile” with spice & such, and then can accumulated scrap meat. Hence, “de-viled” ham or whatever. Tasty stuff!
HOTLOTUS1 over 2 years ago
hey, take my wife please. my wife’s a pig. i saw her outside rollin’ in the mud. i said “what are you doing”. she said “bacon a mess”. oh
That Nerdy Dude over 2 years ago
Mouse is already talking to the ham.
uniquename over 2 years ago
The ham is just over-acting.
Ellis97 over 2 years ago
Shouldn’t Pig be offended by what Rat is eating in front of him?
royq27 over 2 years ago
That’s an old yolk…
Goat from PBS over 2 years ago
I recommend throwing the plate away, along with the contents of said plate.
monya_43 over 2 years ago
I have a friend whose grandmother wouldn’t allow the devil’s name mentioned around her. She called them “teased eggs”. So does my friend.
Zebrastripes over 2 years ago
If I eat this crap, will it turn me evil? LOL
Katje over 2 years ago
What the ham said: “Hi, Pig! I’m the future you!” :D
Packratjohn Premium Member over 2 years ago
Really like deviled eggs. I really, really like ham, but went vegetarian quite a few years ago. I still like ham, I just don’t eat it.
Croc Holliday over 2 years ago
Serve up some deviled eggs and angel’s food cake and let them fight it out.
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
T-shirt I noticed today—
“Save The Earth.It’s the only planet with pizza”
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
Devilled eggs because of red paprika topping.Served in all high-class barbecue pits;in case a vegetarian sneaks in.
zeexenon over 2 years ago
The ham probably tap dances while singing an Al Jolson song and playing a home made banjo.
phlash over 2 years ago
Dam Ham?
AndrewSihler over 2 years ago
The Devil Egg is already something of a ham.
John Jorgensen over 2 years ago
Deviled eggs and ham sounds delicious right now.
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 2 years ago
Oh, I can’t wait!
jtrevor99 over 2 years ago
Balance it out with some Angel food cake.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 2 years ago
Today’s “Sheldon” strip confronts much the same issue: sheldoncomics.com/archive/220804.html
Andrew Bosch Premium Member over 2 years ago
Stephan is plenty of ham already!
Rich Douglas over 2 years ago
Nice. Always love it; today I love it more.
knight1192a over 2 years ago
Actually, it’s the cooking technique. Although, as I think about it I’m not sure deviled eggs should really qualify anymore. At least not the way we make them. The technique is a refernce to a spicy sauce, or just a bit spicy in general (I make deviled turkey using an 1860s recipe and there is nothing spicy about the sauce in the recipe, but it does require you use some cayenne on the turkey itself). Our deviled eggs don’t have any spiciness to them. Not sure too many make them very spicy anymore.
The Waffles are my friends over 2 years ago
Last I recalled, the Devil doesn’t do the actual hurling into the fiery pit; that is God’s job. what the Devil does is he leads souls into said fiery pit.
edeloriea14 over 2 years ago
I don’t like them, Sam I Am. I don’t like deviled eggs and ham!
Realimaginary1 Premium Member over 2 years ago
The Ham: “Sam-I-Am eats green eggs and ham. Like the eggs next to me, I am also deviled and like to be known as The Ham in the Can!”
Sisyphos over 2 years ago
When I say or think of “deviled eggs,” that is not what I have in mind….