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.

Bowling under way at an English village fête in Longdon, Staffordshire

Prize

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
  1. Bringing home the bacon and cutting the mustard. Past Times. 2000. p. 31.
  2. Room, Adrian (1988). Dictionary of confusing words and meanings. p. 37. ISBN 9780880292658.
  3. "Brierley Hill". Worcestershire Chronicle. 25 September 1850.
  4. Titchmarsh, Alan (2011). The complete countryman: rediscovering lost crafts and traditional skill. BBC, London. ISBN 9781846073939.
  5. Fry, Stephen (2004). Moab is my washpot. p. 41. ISBN 9780099457046.
  6. Buchan, William (1982). John Buchan: a memoir. Toronto: Griffin House. ISBN 978-0-88760-108-8.
  7. Chadlington, Peter (2005). The real McCoy: understanding peculiar English. p. 53. ISBN 9781840466843.
  8. The history of Widecombe Fair. Widecombe and District Local History Group. 2007. ISBN 9781898964797.
  9. "Old game of bowling for a pig brought back for 100th show". Salisbury Journal. 16 August 2013.
  10. "It's On!". Beaulieu Village fete.
  11. "Theale Summer Fete to return in June". Newbury Today. 11 May 2023.
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