It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings facts for kids
It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings is a popular English saying. It means that you should not think something is finished until it is truly over. It's like saying, "Don't celebrate too early!" This phrase is often used in sports or other competitions.
Understanding the Saying
This saying tells us not to assume the outcome of an event too soon. Even if one side seems to be winning, things can change quickly. The "fat lady singing" means the very end of the event. Until that moment, anything can happen.
Where the Saying Began
The phrase became famous in April 1978. A sportscaster named Dan Cook used it. He was talking about a basketball playoff game. It was between the San Antonio Spurs and the Washington Bullets. The Spurs had won the first game. But Dan Cook said the series was not over yet. He famously said, "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings." The Washington Bullets actually went on to win that series. They even won the NBA championship that year!
Who is the "Fat Lady"?
The "fat lady" in the saying refers to a character from opera. Specifically, it often points to Brünnhilde. She is a character in a famous opera series called Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner. Brünnhilde is a powerful warrior. She sings a long, dramatic song at the very end of the opera. She is often shown wearing a Viking helmet. So, when the "fat lady" sings, it means the grand finale, the absolute end. It can also refer to any female opera singer performing the final song of a show.
