The Pie That Wouldn’t SetSouthern Kitchen Folklore and Thanksgiving Tradition
I ain't patient enough to wait for a pie to set. I ain't patient enough to wait for a pie to set. Origin
This bit of wisdom comes from the mountain kitchen, where women spent hours tending stoves and reading the world through their cooking.
Before watches and telephones, superstition filled in the blanks: bread that wouldn’t rise, rain that came after washing - and pies that wouldn’t firm up because, somehow, the air knew change was coming.
It’s part of a broader belief that kitchen signs can predict visitors, weather, or luck. A slow-setting pie was a cheerful omen, meaning fellowship was near and the meal would be shared.
Notes
The phrase survives in family kitchens, where it’s less about superstition and more about recognizing that even mishaps have a touch of grace.
Legacy
Like many bits of Southern folklore, the pie that wouldn’t set turns frustration into hospitality. It reminds folks that food is meant to be shared, and sometimes imperfection is just the universe making room for one more at the table.
So if your pie won’t behave this Thanksgiving, don’t curse the crust - set another plate.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 7). The Pie That Wouldn’t Set
Southern Kitchen Folklore and Thanksgiving Tradition . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/the-pie-that-wouldnt-set-southern-kitchen-folklore - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "The Pie That Wouldn’t Set
Southern Kitchen Folklore and Thanksgiving Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/the-pie-that-wouldnt-set-southern-kitchen-folklore. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "The Pie That Wouldn’t Set
Southern Kitchen Folklore and Thanksgiving Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com. November 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/the-pie-that-wouldnt-set-southern-kitchen-folklore.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
Learn more on the Folklore hub page.