High on the hog

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on September 18, 2008 at 16:08

In Reply to: High on the hog posted by Mike on September 18, 2008 at 10:29:

: I propose that living high on the hog has a different origin but the same meaning. The best cuts of meat (tenderloins) are located literally high on the hog. Hence the definition of living or eating well refers to those that can afford the better things and live high on the the hog.

I think you're correct. I certainly don't think the Sam Pepys quotation "where it seems people do drink high" bears any relation to "high on the hog". More likely "drink high" is in imitation of the phrase "play high" (i.e. for high stakes). (VSD)