On this show , we explore the origins and usage of expressions we use in every day American English Okay , nobody likes to be wrong . But when it turns out that we are , in fact , wrong , the best thing to do is admit it . For some reason , in American English when we need to admit that we are wrong , we usually eat something . For example , admitting a mistake often requires that we swallow our pride . The expression means that we must forget ourselves in order to repair the damage our mistake has done . Or , let's say you are bragging about something you can do . But it turns out you can't . If you claim that something is true when it isn't , you may have to eat your own words . Now , normally eating is a good thing and eating pie is even better . Blackberry , apple and pumpkin pie are all quite delicious . However , one pie that tastes awful is humble pie . When you eat humble pie you have to admit you are wrong . You , in a way , have to eat humility , which according to this expression does not taste very good . Sometimes when we offer a challenge , we make a bet . We may use the phrase , "If I'm wrong , I'll eat my hat ." This is a way of saying , "There's no way I'm wrong ." In many old American films and television shows , this phrase is used as a joke . And the joke is always the same : someone , proven wrong , shakes salt on his hat as he pretends to eat it . Okay , so swallowing pride , eating words and humble pie , or even eating one's hat are all fairly easy to understand -- kind of . But what about eating crow ? Why is eating crow a way of admitting you're wrong ? Some language experts say this expression comes from English writer Rudyard Kipling . Kipling uses an image of eating crow in his 1885 short story "The Strange Ride of Morrowbie Jukes ." Morrowbie Jukes was a European colonist in India . The Indian man stays alive by catching wild crows and eating them . Morrowbie is full of pride as he yells , "I shall never eat crow !" However , days pass and he has eaten nothing . Hungry and facing certain death , he finally does what he swore loudly he wouldn't do -- eat crow . Often people have to eat crow when they make very bold , repeated public statements that turn out to be false . Not just individuals – the media sometimes has to do it , too . In 1948 , then-president Harry Truman was campaigning against Thomas Dewey . The Washington Post newspaper predicted over and over that Dewey would win . The newspaper was wrong . After the election , they sent this telegram to the winner , President Truman : (You Will Eat Turkey .)" Now , let's hear some of these expressions in a short story . Four friends live in a small town . Their favorite thing to do together is to play basketball together . One of them , Lane , is new to town . He's really good at basketball and lets everyone know . His friends warn him that if he keeps bragging , he will soon have to eat his words . But he doesn't listen . "If anyone in this small town beats me on the court , I'll eat my hat !" As Lane brags about how great he had played that day , the owner of the restaurant comes over with their food . He's very tall , but walks slowly and his back is stooped . His strong hands are spotted with age . Hearing their conversation , the old man smiles . “It's quite a game !" The friends agree with him . They have a great conversation with the old man about how basketball has changed over the years . Lane , however , is upset . No one is talking about his victory on the court that day . But then he lets his pride get the better of him . "Well , old man , it's nice that you played once . But basketball is a game for young people like me !" "That's the truth ," the old man laughs . "My tired old legs could never go up and down the court the way they used to ." "Yeah , restaurant work is more suited to an older person ." Lane says "older person " as if it were a bad word . Lane's friends sink down in their seats , embarrassed at his behavior . The old man just smiles . He stands up straighter and clears his throat loudly to get everyone's attention . "Well , there is one thing that I can still do quite well . He points at Lane and adds , "In fact , I might even beat you , young man ." Lane laughs at this . His friends , who know the old man better than Lane , say nothing . They simply sit there , smiling , as Lane invites the old man to a friendly free-throw competition the next day . "If you beat me at free throws , I'll ..." Lane pauses , not knowing what to bet . The owner thinks of it for him . "If you lose , you must wait tables in my restaurant for a week ." Lane agrees to the bet and they shake on it . They arrange to meet at the basketball court the next day at noon . Word about the challenge gets around quickly . The town is that small . At the appointed time , spectators fill the seats around the basketball court . The rules of the competition are simple . The one to make the most free-throw shots in a row wins . Lane goes first . But he misses his 25th throw . "Beat that !" he yells , throwing the basketball at the old man . The old man picks up the ball and walks slowly over to the free throw line . The old man is still shooting to the roar of the crowd when Lane leaves the court with his tail between his legs . In the end , the old man made a total of 63 perfect free-throws – a new court record ! At first Lane is too embarrassed to go into the restaurant . But finally , he swallows his pride and apologizes to the old man . The old man graciously gives Lane an apron , then watches as the young man waits on his first customer . As most of the people eating at the restaurant knew about the bet , Lane has to eat crow every time he takes an order . And then he eats massive crow when his friends come into the restaurant . They give him a really hard time ! Soon , though , Lane is having fun talking about basketball with the old man . When Lane tells his friends how much the old man knows about basketball , they aren't surprised at all . "Yeah , we tried to tell you that . But you wouldn't listen . That old man was a college basketball star and even played for a professional team ." "Well , you could've told me that before I challenged him !" Lane throws a towel at his friends . "You needed to eat some humble pie . Your bragging was really getting on our nerves ! Speaking of pie , waiter ," one friend says , "I'll take the peach pie for dessert ." "On one condition ," says the old man . "You name it ," answers Lane . "Please stop waiting tables in my restaurant . You're really bad and I'm losing customers ." How do you admit you're wrong in your language ? Do you eat crow ? Or just your hat ?