Even a Blind Hog Finds an Acorn Now and Then

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then" means that even someone inept or unlucky will occasionally succeed. It’s a down-home proverb rooted in farm life.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll still hear 'even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then' nowadays.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll still hear 'even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then' nowadays.

Pronunciation

[EE-vun uh BLIND HOG finds an AY-kern now an then]

Meaning & Usage

- Even the unlucky get lucky sometimes (proverb)

Mae:

He never wins, but look at that hand!

Earl:

Well, even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then.

- Good fortune for someone unskilled (figurative)

Mae:

He don’t know antiques but he found a valuable lamp.

Earl:

Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then.

variations: even a blind hawg finds an acorn, even a blind hog’ll find an acorn

★ This saying reflects free-range hog life - in the old South, hogs roamed oak woods and found acorns on their own. Even a blind one could still root up an acorn eventually. ★

Origin and Etymology

Documented in 19th-century Southern newspapers and oral traditions. Drawn from the everyday sight of hogs foraging acorns in the woods - a deeply Southern/Appalachian image turned into a proverb.

Usage Notes

Still widely recognized in Southern/Appalachian speech. Less common outside the region but instantly understandable. Often said with a smile or as a gentle tease.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then." Often shortened to "even a blind hog finds an acorn" or "even a blind hog’ll find an acorn."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it mean the person is bad at something?

Yes - it suggests they’re generally unskilled but occasionally lucky.

Is it still used today?

Yes - mostly among older speakers, in storytelling, or when someone gets a "lucky break."

Do outsiders understand it?

Usually, but it sounds distinctly Southern/Appalachian in tone and imagery.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 15). Even a Blind Hog Finds an Acorn Now and Then. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/even-a-blind-hog-finds-an-acorn-now-and-then
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Even a Blind Hog Finds an Acorn Now and Then." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/even-a-blind-hog-finds-an-acorn-now-and-then.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Even a Blind Hog Finds an Acorn Now and Then." HillbillySlang.com. September 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/even-a-blind-hog-finds-an-acorn-now-and-then.

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