"Even a pig finds a truffel now and then"

Posted by Lotg on October 28, 2003

In Reply to: "Even a pig finds a truffel now and then" posted by ESC on October 27, 2003

: : When an outstanding performance comes from an unexpected source, this expression often is the explanation. In the States it is used to provide perspective to evaluate an individuals' activity so that the listener does not expect a repeat or for that level of performance to be the norm.

: Appalachian version: Even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while.

The blind hog version makes more sense to me. The expression that uses 'even' a pig, implies that it would be quite a feat for a pig to find a truffle, but as pdianek quite rightly says, it's no feat at all. That's what pigs are for. So I'm a little confused as to how this saying has come about.

• "Even a pig finds a truffel now and then" GPP 28/October/03
  • Spelled 'truffle', btw GPP 29/October/03
    • Spelled 'truffle', btw Lotg 29/October/03