"A watched pot never boils."

Posted by Henry on July 19, 2003

In Reply to: "A watched pot never boils." posted by Karl on July 19, 2003

: I was hoping I could get a meaning and origin of the above phrase, as someone I know takes this quote way too literally, and I'd like a bit of clarification on it for the future. Thanks in advance!

From Bartleby; A watched pot never boils -
Something we wait for with impatient attention seems to take forever.

The hands of a clock never seem to move when you stare at them, especially on Christmas Eve. You can sit beside the phone for hours without it ringing. "It sits silent. Its needle sound does not transfix my ear or draw my longing to a close. Ring. Damn you!" Maya Angelou

• "A watched pot never boils." ESC 07/20/03
  • A watchman with boils should never smoke pot. Bob 07/21/03