Bowling for a pig
Bowling for a pig was a traditional British competition, usually held at country fêtes, fairs, and carnivals. It was a form of bowling as a test of skill, with the highest scorer(s) winning the prize. The traditional prize was a live pig to take home.[1] The game traditionally used nine wooden pins at the end of an alley, and a solid wooden ball.[2] It was common through the 19th[3] and 20th centuries. Some fêtes retain the name for their bowling sideshow, but no longer offer a live pig as a prize.
Prize[edit]
The traditional prize was a piglet for the winner to take home and raise.[4][5] The pig was seen as a very valuable prize, given the importance of fresh meat in contemporary diets,[6] and pork being the only meat that most families would ever eat.[7]
The practice of winning a live pig led to the phrase "bringing home the bacon", relating to winning bacon, and latterly to gaining things of value.[2][7]
Some fairs used other animals, such as bowling for a lamb.[8] As fewer people kept livestock, some fairs started to offer joints of pork as the prize instead of a live animal,[1][9] and some fairs continue the name today but have substituted other prizes.[10][11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Bringing home the bacon and cutting the mustard. Past Times. 2000. p. 31.
- ^ a b Room, Adrian (1988). Dictionary of confusing words and meanings. p. 37. ISBN 9780880292658.
- ^ "Brierley Hill". Worcestershire Chronicle. 25 September 1850.
- ^ Titchmarsh, Alan (2011). The complete countryman: rediscovering lost crafts and traditional skill. BBC, London. ISBN 9781846073939.
- ^ Fry, Stephen (2004). Moab is my washpot. p. 41. ISBN 9780099457046.
- ^ Buchan, William (1982). John Buchan: a memoir. Toronto: Griffin House. ISBN 978-0-88760-108-8.
- ^ a b Chadlington, Peter (2005). The real McCoy: understanding peculiar English. p. 53. ISBN 9781840466843.
- ^ The history of Widecombe Fair. Widecombe and District Local History Group. 2007. ISBN 9781898964797.
- ^ "Old game of bowling for a pig brought back for 100th show". Salisbury Journal. 16 August 2013.
- ^ "It's On!". Beaulieu Village fete.
- ^ "Theale Summer Fete to return in June". Newbury Today. 11 May 2023.