Why is a wage-earner said to ‘bring home the bacon’? Why not lamb or chicken?
In 16th Century Europe, being able to afford pork – or pig meat – was considered a sign of wealth.
So a man who could ‘bring home the bacon’ was more than providing for his family.
When he entertained friends, he would cut off a piece of bacon or pork and give it to them to eat.
They would sit around and (this is where the saying derived from) ‘chew the fat’.