Leo Viëtor Oct 11, 2012:

Doubtful eggs: zowel herkomst als kwaliteit Doubtful in doubtful eggs zegt iets over herkomst14:23

http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/historicpublications/pubs/SC051.pdf Use the small, dirty or cracked eggs at home. Small
eggs are just as wholesome for food as large ones. They can
not be sold for so much as large ones, however, for they are not
worth so much. Dirty eggs are also good if fresh, but do not
look well. Because of this fact they are classed as “seconds.”
Cracked eggs will mold and spoil quickly. Eggs found in
stolen nests are always of doubtful quality.
Ik zou zeggen dat het hier ook om de herkomst gaat en niet om de kwaliteit. Koekoekseieren in plaats van kippeneieren.
Het kan echter ook gewoon "bedorven eieren" betekenen.

Wiard Sterk Oct 11, 2012:

He does refer to food I think he does mean exactly what he says, the eggs representing any food offered that is substandard or of dubious origin. I would translate 'doubtful' with 'onbetrouwbaar' and choose for eggs whatever common food makes the sentence flow best.

Malou Wijdeveld (asker) Oct 11, 2012:

Excerpt from said text He suggested that those trekking across Abyssinia needn’t sleep in their clothes, or eat doubtful eggs, or “drive a caravan for ten or twelve hours a day a day continuously over that mountainous
country.”

Ron Willems Oct 11, 2012:

context Apart from a clear description of the context, it would be helpful to see the actual context (in a few lines) as well.