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Root hog or die

Posted by ESC on January 04, 2003

In Reply to: Phrases posted by TJ Ahearn on January 04, 2003

: I want to know where the phrase "Root, Hog, or Die" originated from and how.

If I find the phrase in a reference book, I'll post again. But from my own knowledge, here's what the phrase means. It's a country/rural saying. Domestic hogs were turned out to fend for themselves in the woods, thus lowering the farmer's feeding costs. The hog had to "root" or forage for his own food -- acorns, etc., -- or die.

"Root hog or die" means provide for yourself or do without and die.

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