Reading an article in the New Yorker by Burkhard Bilger about Southern food in the States he explains the expressions “high on th hog ” and “low on the hog” as relating to which parts of the pig you could afford “high” being the tenderloin, “low” being the feet.
As Ireland is a nation who’s national meat must be pork (and bacon) I am suddenly filled with an understanding of an Irish expression, the origins of which had puzzled me for years : Ar muin na muice ” On the pigs back.
Of course the implied state of happiness related to which part of the pig you were able to enjoy.
Voila.
Comments
Paul Deeegan
on November 17, 2011I love that. We learned it in school with images of people riding around on pigs. Like a poor man’s ass. If you ever figure out where “blacken your arse and go mad” comes from, please let me know.
Martin
on November 18, 2011Well Paul , long time no hear. and I see you have turned to the drink ! I must try some at Christmas- is it in the Ardkeen ?
Paul Deeegan
on November 21, 2011Not sure to be honest. It was. I’m not at the sales end. I’m sure we can sort you out with a bottle. Donal usually has a few in the boot.
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