if we had ham we could have ham and eggs, if we had eggs
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Draws attention to the futility of a plan or strategy in the absence of the resources necessary for it to work.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The situation reminds me of the statement that "if we had ham, we could have ham and eggs — if we had eggs" — but in a world in which there are no hens. In theory, truly secure systems are impossible.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “if we had ham we could have ham and eggs, if we had eggs” mean?
Draws attention to the futility of a plan or strategy in the absence of the resources necessary for it to work.
Is “if we had ham we could have ham and eggs, if we had eggs” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.