Modul 4: Idiom 20: Bring Home The Bacon

Bring Home The Bacon

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘bring home the bacon.’ What does this mean? To say “I’m bringing home the bacon” means that you are earning money to support your family. The word “home” in this idiom refers to home to your family, and the word “bacon” here means “money” 

So what is the origin of this idiom?

This idiom dates all the way back to the 10th Century to a couple in Great Dunmow, which is a place in Essex, England. The mayor of the town was so impressed by their complete devotion – great love and care – to one another that he gave them a side of bacon, or as it was known back then, a ‘flitch’ of bacon. This then became a tradition that every four years a ceremony would be held for couples to attend and prove their devotion to each other. To win the bacon, the couples all had to declare – say in front of everyone – honestly that they had not argued or regretted their marriage for the previous year and one day. There was a counsel – a lawyer or group of lawyers – there who would decide who was honest and who were the most devoted. The winning couple would take home the flitch of bacon.

Take a look at our illustration.

We can see a man as he is walking down the road towards his house. His wife is standing at the door eagerly waiting. He has won the prize by proving his devotion to his wife. The 1st place ribbon shows us that he has won and the hearts above the couples’ heads show us their love for each other. In the man’s bag is the bacon that he is bringing home.  In modern-day, people go to work to earn money which they will bring home to their families which provides food for them.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

“I had to get a job so that I could bring home the bacon.”

“My dad broke his leg and couldn’t work, so I had to get a second job to bring home the bacon.”

“When my wife starts her new job in journalism, she is really going to be bringing home the bacon”

“We all bring home the bacon in our house. Everyone works equally hard.”

“I can’t be the one to always bring home the bacon, you need to help me!”

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. Wayne pretended he was sick so that he could go to the cinema instead of going to work.  Was Wayne bringing home the bacon?  No.  Wayne didn’t get paid because he was missing from work.
2. Barry spent long hours making wooden toys in his workshop.  He sold those toys at the market for a good profit.  Was Barry bringing home the bacon?  Yes.  Barry’s hard work meant he was earning a lot of money.
3. Patricia serves customers in a charity shop, so she works for free.  Is Patricia bringing home the bacon?  No.  Whilst Patricia works in the charity shop, she is not being paid.
4. Valerie is the boss of a major chain of fashion boutiques.  She can afford a large house in the country and drives a Ferrari sports car.  Is Valerie bringing home the bacon?  Definitely. Valerie’s job means she is very rich.
5. Dean is a car mechanic.  He has decided to work extra hours fixing people’s cars in his own time to save up for a holiday for his family.  Is Dean bringing home the bacon?  Yes.  Dean is working hard so he can afford a lovely holiday for his family.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.