- Meaning
- This idiom means to earn a living, provide financial support, or achieve success, as if bringing home the prized bacon from a fair or hunt. It conveys responsibility or accomplishment, often used in professional or personal contexts to praise breadwinners or winners. The phrase carries a tone of pride, duty, or triumph, reflecting cultural values of provision and the human tendency to value tangible results. Its culinary imagery evokes a rewarding prize, resonating in scenarios like jobs or competitions. The idiom celebrates success, making it a hearty metaphor for earning or winning.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 12th-century England, tied to the Dunmow Flitch, a tradition awarding bacon to harmonious couples, as noted in historical records. Its modern use emerged in early 20th-century America, with *The New York Times* (1906) using it for boxers earning purses. The idiom gained traction in the 1920s, amplified by sports and labor slang, notably in *The Saturday Evening Post*. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures, especially in the U.S., stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to earning, with use in the U.K. and Australia.
- Variants
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- Bring home the bacon
- Bringing home the bacon
- Bring the bacon home
- Examples
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- He works two jobs to bring home the bacon for his family.
- Bringing home the bacon, she secured a major client deal.
- Bring the bacon home, he did, winning the sales contest.
- She’s always bringing home the bacon with her freelance gigs.
- Bring home the bacon, they urged, pushing for a promotion.
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