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Pig in a Poke

In 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.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Animals   #Southern   #FarmTalk

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Still here 'pig in a poke' sometimes. Not often, mainly old timers. 
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.
variations: buying blind, taken for a ride, don’t buy unseen, 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. ★

Origin and Etymology

The 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.

Usage Notes

Still 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 Southerner

Say 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.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "poke" mean here?
It’s an old word for a bag or sack, still used in Appalachia and parts of the South.
Is "pig in a poke" still used today?
Yes, though more often in a figurative sense - warning against buying sight unseen.
Where did the phrase come from?
Medieval Europe, carried into American rural speech by settlers.
Does it only mean buying?
Not always - it can mean agreeing to anything without knowing the details.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 29). Pig in a Poke. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pig-in-a-poke
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Pig in a Poke." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pig-in-a-poke.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Pig in a Poke." HillbillySlang.com. August 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pig-in-a-poke.
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