What’s the origin of the phrase ‘piping hot’?
We often come across strange idioms and expressions in English that leave us wondering, “What does this even mean ?” ‘Piping hot’ is one such catchphrase. Have you ever been served a steaming cup of tea or freshly-baked pizza? Well, these are mostly piping hot. The literal meaning of the expression ‘piping hot’ is something that is ‘very hot’ or ‘boiling hot’. Let's see where this phrase originated from and how people used it.
So, what’s piping?
The term ‘piping hot’ has been used since the late mediaeval period (1300-1500 A.D.). During that time, it was used to refer to the steam from a tea kettle. Still doesn't make sense, does it? Well, the spout or pipe of the kettle emits heat and water vapour when the water boils. Thus, the phrase ‘piping hot’ was born. Also, the whistling sound that the steam lets out, reminds you of the sound from musical pipes!
Piping hot waffles!
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used ‘piping hot’ while describing waffles in The Miller's Tale in 1390. He wrote, “He sent hir pyment meeth with spiced ale. And from the glede came a wafres pipping hoot.” It simply meant, “He sent her spiced ale, mead, sweetened wine, and fresh off the stove waffles that were piping hot.” The phrase was also used in 1601 in the translation of "Pliny's Historie of the World" by an English school teacher Philemon Holland in the following text: “Beans… fried all whole as they be, and so cast piping hot into sharp vinegar.”
A musical feast
Some people have claimed that the phrase originated in Scotland, where ceremonial feasts used to be served with bagpipe music. That is where the term ‘piping in’ was coined, while the accompanying food being served was said to be brought ‘piping hot’. An alternate theory is that the food was piped into ships, and that’s how the phrase came into existence.
A freshly baked pie!
Most people concur that the idiom originated from a pie whistling on a ledge. When hot steam from the filling leaked through the shell of the pastry, it whistled, giving birth to the expression ‘piping hot’ as we know it today. Again, there is no documentary evidence to confirm any of this!
No one can say what is the real reason behind the origin of this phrase! But you can get a fair idea of the times in which the phrase was coined.