Why do people use the expression "I can't boil water" to describe not cooking?

[errant]

I have heard this twice in the past 24 hours and both times I wanted to yell "of course you can!"

 

[Long Beach Rocker]

Because boiling water is the easiest thing to do when it comes to cooking. If you can't do that, you pretty much are up the creek in a boat with a hole in it.

 

[She She]

Because boiling water is so easy, so if you can't boil water you can't cook ANYTHING!

 

[lookat]

It is an expression that essentially means that you can not cook anything.

You prefer to buy take out or have someone experienced in the kitchen prepare your meals.

LOL.

 

[Long Beach Rocker]

Because boiling water is the easiest thing to do when it comes to cooking. If you can't do that, you pretty much are up the creek in a boat with a hole in it.