Pot Calling the Kettle Black

An expression that is said when one accuses another person of that which they are equally guilty of.

Many years ago, people used to cook over an open flame using copper kettles and iron pots. The copper kettles were usually polished after every use whereas the iron pots were not and remained blackened from the soot from previous cookings. Well someone got the idea that if the iron pot were alive and it looked at a nearby copper kettle, it would see a black image. The iron pot believes it sees the image of the copper kettle when in reality, because the copper kettle was polished, what the iron pot was seeing was a reflection of itself. This symbolic phrase became associated with hypocrisy. An accuser blames someone else for having a fault when the accuser has the same fault.

Joe accuses Mark for not keeping his house clean when in reality, Joe has a messy house. Therefore, Joe is guilty of "the pot calling the kettle black".

by Dancing with Fire June 24, 2011

pot calling the kettle black

This is a phrase that states that the person you are talking to is calling you something that they themselves are (and generally in abundance).

This comes from old times when pots and pans were generally black and kettles were generally metallic and reflective. Therefore the pot sees its black reflection in the kettle and thinks that the kettle is black.

*this can also sometimes be shortened to "pot, kettle, black."*

someguy: u R an idiot 4 sayin tht
Some other guy: Well thats the pot calling the kettle black!

by The Spooky Twigg December 3, 2004

The pot calling the kettle black

If someone says this, it simply points out hypocrisy.

You’re saying I’m annoying? That’s like the pot calling the kettle black!

by Man Of Few Words April 11, 2021

Calling the cattle

To vomit while drunk in a loud and glorious manner.

"Hey, where's Tom?"
"He's calling the cattle"
"Huh. Yeah. He looked pretty wasted."

by Frankie Pistlekahk September 18, 2007

Calling the Bullpen

an act usually performed by girls when they are at a perfectly good party/bar but still need to repeatedly call or text to see if there is something/somewhere "better" they should be;related to calling the bullpen for a better pitcher in Major League Baseball. They even call friends that they know are home to make sure they know they are out at a party so they dont think less of them. They think that they look cool because they have options when actually they look stupid because they are the only ones that are not caught up in the amazing times in front of them.

Jess is forever talking mad loud when she is calling the bullpen. That girl is never allowed on sparks st. again.

Where'd Rachel go? I dunno Jess was calling the bullpen before, I guess the bouncers must not be checking id's so they are going downtown.

by James Street May 1, 2008

Calling the Butler

A euphemism meaning to have sex with someone who is in a subservient role; to use someone as your sex slave; to have someone who can be called at any time for ones own gratification.

She was feeling very sexually frustrated, she'd evening considered calling the butler!

by JBach07 May 13, 2016

But you're the one calling

"But you're the one calling" Is a translation from a polish version of "who asked" or just straight up telling someone that they're bragging about an irrelevant topic or just another way of saying "who asked?"

Your girlfriend slept with 3 guys before you!

Unless she does when I'm in a relationship ship with her I don't mind.

I was one of them.

But you're the one calling.

by Fearanka July 1, 2022