Livin’ High on the Hog

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "livin’ high on the hog" (usually written "living high on the hog") means living in luxury or enjoying the best of things. The saying comes from hog butchering, where the cuts higher up on the pig - like the loin and chops - were considered the finest.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

When somebody starts to spend - maybe a little more than they orta - we might say 'they're livin’ high on the hog.'

Pronunciation

[LIV-in HAH on thuh HAWG]

Meaning & Usage

- Living in comfort or luxury (verb phrase)

Mae:

How’s he doin’ with that new job?

Earl:

Oh, he’s livin’ high on the hog now.

- Enjoying the best of things (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:

See their new truck?

Earl:

Yep, they’re livin’ high on the hog these days.

variations: living high on the hog, livin' high on the hawg

★ The phrase is still used with pride or teasing, often when someone’s "puttin’ on" or showing off better living than they’re used to. ★

Origin

The saying comes from hog butchering: the cuts higher up on the hog - loin, tenderloin, and chops - were prized as the best meat. Poorer folks often got the lower cuts. By the 1800s, "high on the hog" spread in Southern speech to mean living well.

Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older generations. Recognized elsewhere in the U.S., but often sounds country or old-fashioned outside the South.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "liv-in high on thuh hawg." The "g" is dropped and "hog" often stretches to "hawg."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Does "livin’ high on the hog" always mean rich?

Not always - it can mean enjoying a little luxury, even if temporary.

Is it only Southern?

The phrase is known nationwide, but it feels most natural in Southern and Appalachian talk.

Do folks still use it today?

Yes - though less often with younger people, it’s still heard in rural and family settings.

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