What's the origin of the term "piping hot"?

Search: piping hot

Why: The heating instructions on the back of Nutrisystem dinner boxes say to "serve piping hot." It sounds terribly unprofessional. I hate it.

Answer: It comes from the whistling sound of steam! In 1390, Geoffrey Chaucer used the term in The Canterbury Tales in the 2nd story, "The Miller's Tale."

He sente hir pyment meeth and spiced ale
And wafres pipyng hoot out of the glede.

[He sent her sweetened wine and well-spiced ale
And waffles piping hot out of the fire]

Lol, pipyng hoot. A fesnyng of frendschip.

And in 1601, in Philemon Holland's translation of Pliny's Natural History:

"Beanes... fried all whole as they be, and so cast piping hot into sharp vineger."

Source: Phrases.org.uk

The More You Know: Why pay the piper when there's free piping down the street? 6:30: