ADDLE EGG AND IDLE HEAD, subs. phr. (old colloquial).—Anything worthless; an abortion.
1589. Pappe with an Hatchet (1844), 11. These Martins were hatcht of ADDLE EGGES, els could they not haue such IDLE HEADS.
1606. SHAKESPEARE, Troilus and Cressida, i. 2. 145. Pan. He esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg. Cre. If you love an ADDLE EGG as well as you love an IDLE HEAD, you would eat chickens in the shell.
1617. MINSHEU, Dictionary, Ductor. An A’DLE EGGE q. IDLE EGGE, because it is good for nothing.
