An idiom meaning that the person who said something fits the description as well as the person they were speaking about. Presumably dates from a day when pots and kettles were made of cast iron, which turns black pretty quickly with use.

Also a source of a post-pub surrealism game. To play the game, get very drunk with a group of close friends. Then proceed to combine sayings and proverbs with drunken enthusiasm. The person who gets the best combo, wins and, um, is greatly admired for 30 seconds.

Some examples.

  • That's like the oven blacking the kettle while calling the pot "the".
  • A rolling kettle gathers no black pots.
  • Kettles maketh not the pot.
  • Too many pots spoil the kitchen.

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