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Bring Home the Bacon

Bring Home the Bacon

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Bring Home the Bacon--children chasing a greased pigYears ago, a husband’s job was to bring home the bacon. Wives took care of the home and children. Today, they often share those responsibilities.

To bring home the bacon means to earn money.

In most cases, the person:

  • Has a job
  • Receives a salary
  • Provides for the family or others

Bring home the bacon also means to be successful.

The person wins or achieves desired results. That holds true in both employment and sports. The bacon may include:

  • A prize
  • Position
  • Money

Two possible origins frequently appear for this expression.

  1. In greased pig contests, whoever catches the pig often receives it as a prize. That occurs at county fairs and other special events.
  2. In the twelfth century, people who proved devotion to their marriage were awarded a pig.

Hard work offers great rewards.

Bringing home the bacon in the form of a paycheck is nice, but so is the satisfaction of a job well done. Everyone benefits from quality work. The fruit of good labor is sweet indeed.

“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for the suggestion and to Charlie VanLeuven, editor of The Casey County News for the photo.

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The Other Side of the Coin

The Other Side of the Coin

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The Other Side of the CoinI’m not always right.

I wish I were, but I’m not. Therefore, I need to look at life from other points of view. I need to consider ideas other than my own — the other side of the coin.

By looking at the other side of the coin, I give myself the opportunity to grow. I may learn I was wrong. If not, I strengthen my original belief. I gain from either of those possibilities.

We don’t have to agree with others to remain friends.

Rather, we learn to disagree agreeably. My husband and I share many of the same values and beliefs. We also disagree on several issues. We have learned to accept that reality. Occasionally we begin a sentence with, “I know you’re going to disagree with this, but …”

I wonder:

  • How many wars could have been prevented by looking at the other side’s opinions?
  • How many couples could have avoided divorce by focusing on one another’s feelings?
  • How many friendships could have been preserved by listening more than talking?

Not everything in life revolves around us and our outlook.

Let’s not be hardheaded. Rather, let’s check out the other side of the coin. In the process we:

  • Stretch our minds.
  • Enrich our resources,
  • Share one another’s burdens and joys, whether we agree or not.

When we look at the other side of the coin, we gain another viewpoint. We choose whether to accept or reject that viewpoint. Let’s use wisdom as we choose.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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