We’ve been saving our bacon since the 16th century by “escaping injury” or “avoiding a loss.” Given how bacon was such a precious commodity, elaborate precautions were always taken in storing it for the winter — especially keeping it out of the reach of house dogs. Meanwhile we continued to bring home the bacon — simply earning a living and providing our family with the necessities of life. It also helped us “succeed in a given enterprise” or “win the prize” (1925). This from county fairs and their greased pig contests, where whoever caught the pig, got to keep it—literally bringing home the bacon. The story that gets the prize, however, dates back to the first years of the 12th century and Dunmow, a village in Essex, England, which had a unique custom called “the awarding of the flitch.” A flitch, or side of bacon, was offered annually to any person who would kneel at the church door and swear that he and his wife had not quarreled at any time during the preceding year nor had they during that time ever wished themselves unmarried. Records show that from 1244 until 1722 when the contest ceased — a period of almost 300 years — couples had brought home the bacon a grand total of five times.