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"True Humility" by George du Maurier, originally published in Punch, 1895.

The expression "a curate's egg" means something that is partly good and partly bad, but as a result is entirely spoiled. Modern usage has tended to change this to mean something having a mix of good and bad qualities; an example in conversation would be, "Ah Tisshaw, how was your holiday?" "Somewhat of a curate's egg, I'm afraid; the hotel was lovely, but it rained a lot."

The phrase originated in a cartoon in the humorous British magazine Punch on 9 November 1895. Drawn by George du Maurier and entitled "True Humility", it pictured a timid-looking curate taking breakfast in his bishop's house.

The Bishop says "I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones". Apparently trying to avoid offence the curate replies, "Oh, no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!"

Since an egg cannot in reality be bad only in part, and indeed probably must smell bad or the Bishop would not have noticed, the point of the original is that the curate dares not risk offending his superior (or his wife) by asking for another; he is instead grasping for something favourable to say against all the odds - the result, a brilliant compromise!

Published examples of use cited by the OED:

• 1905 Minister's Gazette of Fashion "The past spring and summer season has seen much fluctuation. Like the curate's egg, it has been excellent in parts."
• 1962 Oxford Magazine "All the same it is a curate's egg of a book. While the whole may be somewhat stale and addled, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the merits of some of its parts."