the proof of the pudding saying (also the proof is in the pudding is in the eating) 在美式英语中习惯说成“the proof of the pudding”，英式英语是它的完整版本“the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” 在16世纪，proof这个词是test(检验)的同义词，这个习语大概也是那个时代的产物。当时的pudding也和今天的布丁大不相同。它并不是一个甜点，而是在英国一种常见的菜肴，类似于把一团像香肠一样的调味肉末、燕麦片等塞在准备好的皮袋子里，然后煮。因此，检验pudding是否成功的真正标准是它的味道，而不是它的外观。 said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it 布丁好不好，吃了才知道(只有通过体验才能判断事物的好坏;空谈不如实证) A: I think we've done a good job of fixing the dishwasher. 我觉得我们把洗碗机修得挺好。 B Well, the proof is in the pudding. We haven't tried to use it yet. 要试过才知道好不好。我们还没有用过它。