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What is a ‘pig in a poke’?

From 1985’s “National Lampoon’s European Vacation.” Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Perhaps not the most common turn of phrase, ‘pig in a poke’ is, nonetheless, quite a timely idiom insofar as what one expects versus what they get. (I’m thinking of myriad politicians in Congress right now.)  So, what exactly is a pig in a poke?

The origin dates back to the 16th Century; poke is what most of us (Americans) call a sack. Setting the scene … Nowadays, if you have a hankering for ham, you would likely head to the deli counter. Back in the 1500s, however, you had to carve that ham by purchasing the entire pig.

Since a sack — nay poke — was the most suitable container to stuff a piglet for sale in at the local market, merchants would package their goods in a poke that was often knotted at the top, preventing customers from seeing what they were buying.

When an unsuspecting buyer brought his poke home and went to release the piglet, a chicken, duck, goose, or other animals (of lesser value than a pig) would come out of the bundle instead.

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Five Tips on Email Communication: Best Practices

As the way we communicate in writing has evolved — from letters and telegrams to email and text — some of the rules to ensure we communicate effectively have changed with these various mediums. 

At the same time, most rules for effective written communication are of the golden variety, meaning they apply across any platform and can muck up an otherwise innocuous message.

We’ve all been there, whether it’s a big ol’ typo in your introduction, or an email so massaged that your original thought and its fourth iteration meet up in an embarrassingly incoherent way.

From choosing a word open to misinterpretation, or a paragraph so long Melville would sooner be drowned by his big white whale, we can avoid easily caught errors with a few simple steps.

Lastly, but not surprisingly, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2020 survey listed written communication in its top five categories of critical skills prospective employees need to be considered for hire.

Since email has become the business world’s principal way of communicating between co-workers and to most company’s clients, let’s dive into some tips. 

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Salting the earth vs. salt of the earth

Salting the earth seems to be a rather popular turn of phrase lately, repeated by numerous television pundits describing President Donald Trump’s actions relating to his refusal to concede the 2020 election; his campaign’s filing dozens of lawsuits alleging voter fraud, and; his firing of various administration officials.

A similar-sounding phrase, but having a completely different meaning, is “salt of the earth.” What’s the difference and where did each originate?

“Salt the earth”

Most observers agree the modern idea of salting the earth is inspired by an incident in the Old Testament, [Judges 9:45], where the Israelite king Abimelech ‘razed the city and sowed it with salt’ at Shechem.

A popular notion of ‘salting the earth’ is also attributed to the Roman general Scipio Aemilianus around 146 BCE, who, upon successfully sacking the city-state of Carthage, passed plowshares over the razed city and sowed salt in its furrows, ostensibly turning its fertile land into desert.

As time passed, myth settled into legend and his action was lauded as a symbolic act by conquering armies over subjugated vassals — even though salt was, for centuries, a highly coveted and expensive spice; and is also a natural fertilizer.

Today, the phrase is euphemistic for any scorched-earth actions that seek to reap utter destruction.

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‘Three Sheets To The Wind’

In sailing nomenclature, ‘sheet’ is the term for a rope used to secure the trim of a sail. In this context, a sail is left hanging free, leaving it to flap in the wind rather than catch the breeze; if both sails are flailing — and you add a third, useless sail, for hyperbolic effect — it means someone hasn’t just imbibed … they’re wasted!

‘Hobson’s Choice’

Say you’re a chef making soup … we’ll pick chicken soup. We agree there are structural principals, let’s call them “rules,” to follow when making chicken soup: you need water, a chicken and some vegetables. 

Sticking with just the rules would, in fact, produce chicken soup; but, would it be tasty? It’s possible (yet unlikely).

Now, consider the drawerful of spices at your disposal: a bit of dill, pinch of turmeric and (my favorite) some Yemeni hawaij. Presto, chango … instead of plain old soup you’ve crafted some amazingly savory soup! Why? You need the spice; it’s the spice that gives your chicken soup its flavor.

Writers have access to spice — one is called “turn of phrase” — and when used effectively it can make good writing great. Using a turn of phrase can help establish your “writer’s voice,” much like the spice in your soup becomes your “chef’s signature.”

Writing’s rules (e.g. grammar, syntax, and punctuation) govern its foundational structure. Each is a necessary component for effective communication. Throw in a good turn of phrase and — POW — you’ve given your writing some flavor … zest … punch!

My preamble concluded, the turn of phrase I chose to share today is “Hobson’s choice.”

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Grammar guru: use vs. utilize

DO I SOUND FANCY?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRANSITIVE VERB 

​Giving credit where it’s due, I read a quick blog post this morning on “Quick and Dirty Tips dot com” about a word-choice debate I’ve had for years: “use” versus “utilize.” (I know I’m not alone.)

It’s often one of those things many don’t notice until it’s pointed out, like a small stain on someone’s tie or chewing with your mouth open, but drilling down a smidge, you can see how the choice of word is often telling. 

Basically, and without intending to sound too judgmental, people glom onto utilize because it “sounds” more authoritative.

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