  Pig in a PokeIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "pig in a poke" means buying or agreeing to something without knowing what you’re really getting. It’s a warning against being fooled or cheated. Hillbilly Dude Says...  Still here 'pig in a poke' sometimes. Not often, mainly old timers. Pronunciation[pig in uh POHK] Meaning & Usage- Buying or agreeing without checking (idiom)
Mae:
He paid for that car sight unseen.
Earl:
Bought himself a pig in a poke.other spellings: buying blind, taken for a ride, don’t buy unseen, and pig-in-a-poke ★ If someone warns you about a "pig in a poke," they mean look before you leap - check what you’re buying, or you’ll regret it. ★ OriginThe phrase goes back to medieval Europe. In open-air markets, a "poke" (a bag or sack) could hide a sickly pig - or even a cat. Buyers who didn’t check the bag got swindled. The warning phrase came to America with settlers and stuck in Appalachian and Southern talk. NotesStill used today, though more often figuratively. Instead of livestock, it’s about risky deals, contracts, or online purchases. Appalachian speakers kept the old "poke" word for bag, which is rare outside the region. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it easy: "pig in uh POHK." The "poke" here means a sack or bag, not a jab. It’s about buying blind, not seeing what’s inside. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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