Eierlegende Wollmilchsau (EYE-er-lay-gen-duh VOL-milkh-zow) Literally “egg-laying wool-milk sow” From ei (egg) + legen (to lay), forming eierlegend (egg-laying), + wolle (wool) + milch (milk) + sau (sow). An early version appeared in a humorous poem in 1959, and by the late 1960s it had become a cheeky German way to describe the impossible thing that does everything. Like wanting one kitchen gadget that boils eggs, opens cans, makes coffee, and tells you what to cook for supper.