Two peas in a pod

Origin of: Two peas in a pod

Two peas in a pod

Means closely similar, almost exactly alike, and dates from the 16th century, from the fact that two peas from the same pod are virtually indistinguishable. Although the expression was taken up in America, its origin is British and first appears in John Lily Euphues (1579). “As lyke as one pease is to another.” In those days, pease was the accepted singular form but was superseded during the 17th century by pea, otherwise we would be struggling with ‘peases’ as a plural. The word pease is still found in the dish, pease pudding (mashed peas), but more often than not, it is referred to as ‘mushy peas’ these days. Very soon, the word pease will no doubt disappear, which will be a pity. Here’s one for the record books, Shakespeare’s simile for sameness, using eggs instead of peas, failed to catch on. The Winter’s Tale Act I, Scene II, “They say we are almost as like as eggs.”