E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Swans … Geese.
All your swans are geese. All your fine promises or expectations have proved fallacious. “Hope told a flattering tale.” The converse, All your geese are swans, means all your children are paragons, and whatever you do is in your own eyes superlative work.
