Pig in a poke
Meaning
Something accepted or bought without prior inspection, which may turn out to be worthless or problematic.
Origin
The phrase "pig in a poke" originates from medieval European marketplaces where dishonest vendors attempted to deceive buyers. A "poke" was an old term for a sack or bag. A common trick involved a seller claiming to have a valuable piglet for sale, but secretly substituting it with a less valuable animal, such as a cat, hidden within the sack. The unsuspecting buyer would only discover the deception upon opening the poke at home. This ancient scam served as a stark warning to always inspect goods before purchase, giving birth to the enduring idiom that cautions against accepting anything sight unseen.
Examples
- Buying a used car online without a test drive is often buying a pig in a poke.
- She felt she'd bought a pig in a poke when the bargain holiday turned out to be nothing like the brochure.