high on the hog
high on the hog
Meaning
- someone who is used to luxury
- an affluent person or surroundings
Example Sentences
- We aren’t as wealthy as the Jones’ to eat so high on the hog.
- He will not be able to live in these conditions because he has always had it from high on the hog.
- Susan needs to understand her boundaries. Her father does not have it from as high on the hog as some of her friends’.
- It is immature to think that just because someone has it from high on the hog they aren’t just as sensitive in their actions.
Origin
This phrase originates from the hog, literally. The best meat from pork is said to be from its back and upper legs. So anyone who was wealthy could eat the high parts of the hog. The word ‘high’ is referred in positive light in other phrases too including ‘high heavens’, ‘high life’ and ‘high table’. Although it has been in existence since the 9th century, the exact form of the phrase was used in 1946 in a newspaper called the ‘Call Bulletin’. It was made popular in 1920 by the New York Times, blaming people who ate high up the hog to be the cause of the increasing inflation.
Share your opinions6 Opinions
“High on the hog” is as you say. But it’s a temporary level that is bound to fall. (Yes, you didn’t care about nobody while you were living High on the Hog!)
You didn’t care about sharing; you didn’t return any phone calls while you were living high on the hog!
‒ Allen Tomas January 22, 2023
It really came from slave days. The master got the good portions of the hog to eat, which are literally high up on the hog. The slaves were given the intestines and feet, which are low on the hog. Over time the meaning has changed but still reflects wealth verses poor.
‒ Cat March 7, 2022
Good to know , I always though the phase was in reference to a person of wealth for other than the actual hog.
‒ Deborah Sue Mitchell May 28, 2021
Eating fatty brisket from Franklin’s BBQ is a good example of “Eating high on the hog” as it is reported to be the best in the world.
‒ BBQ Bill April 6, 2021
I thought this was referring to the tenderloin which I think is the best part of the hog Just like on a deer tenderloin, which is the best part of the deer, and is considered the most tender muscle group.
‒ Steve June 30, 2020
I thought high on the hog ment you eat the lower part of the hog as in the higher part of the hog is the bad part and the lower part is the good.
‒ Lucas Belk November 1, 2019