Have you seen the phrase 'high on the hog' somewhere in a text or on the internet, and would like to know more about the meaning of the phrase? 'High on the hog' is an expression that means more or less the same as 'in the lap of luxury'. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and use of this saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'high on the hog' is a figurative expression that is used mostly in the English language.
'High on the hog' is a phrase that is used to mean that someone is in the lap of luxury, or implies that they are living a life of opulence or financial idealism.
The phrase 'high on the hog' implies that they figuratively eat from the high parts of the pig, which would have been the most choice or expensive cuts when the expression came to be.
For correct use of the phrase, someone is said to be 'high on the hog'.
The phrase can be used as a third-party reference, or it can be said directly to someone in conversation.
The negative of the expression can also be used to say that someone is 'not high on the hog', or that they are not living a luxurious or opulent life.
The phrase is used with the implications of an insult.
Example Usage
“He grew up high on the hog. That's why he doesn't even know what the price of rice is as an adult, and it's probably why he happens to be a company CEO.”
“If you're too high on the hog to help your family out, then your family ain't going to be there to help you out one day when you're broke, either.”
“My father used to live high on the hog when he was married to my mother, but once he had to make his own money he was as good as eating with the rest of the hogs.”
“He seems really high on the hog and everything, but you know that he still wears panda underwear just like every other kid when he goes to bed at night.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'high on the hog' is agreed to be from the United States, though the exact first use of the saying is not agreed upon by most language resources.
From what is known about the phrase 'high on the hog' it is likely to have come into use somewhere during the late 1800s to early 1800s, and taken off as a popular saying in news and other media after this point.
The phrase is likely to have come from butcheries, where the phrase 'high on the hog' would have referred to choice, more expensive cuts of meat that were more likely to be purchased by richer or more well to-do clients.
Use of the saying 'high on the hog' would continue well into the 21st century, though the phrase is not as popular today as it once used to be.
Phrases Similar to High on the Hog
- In the lap of luxury
- On a silver platter
Phrases Opposite to High on the Hog
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [Living] high on the hog
- High on the hog
Ways People May Say High on the Hog Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'high on the hog' in the wrong way, mishear, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase.
The saying 'high on the hog' is not used as 'high on the bog' or 'high on the horse', but might be misused in either way by someone who is not familiar with the saying.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase High on the Hog
The correct way to use the phrase 'high on the hog' is to use it to imply that someone is living a life of luxury, or that they live their lives with unnecessary opulence.