This saying goes back to a song by that title released in early 1964. A detailed entry is found on pages 315 and 316 of Most Comprehensive Origins of Cliches, Proverbs and Figurative Expressions.
Great reviews keep coming in on Amazon for this book. I am very grateful. Yesterday there were two new ones. One I was expecting because I had been told it was coming. The other one, like many of these reviews was totally “Out of the blue,” (page 413- from 1837). Both showed five out of five stars. I’m posting them here:
Reading this book automatically makes you more interesting and knowledgeable than any other Joe or Josephine in the room and is a great ice breaker. Who knew you knew the origin of “living high on the hog?”
What surpised me the most is that these phrases are not as old or ancient as one would think. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly reccommed it to everybody and “strike while the iron is hot!”
Dear Mr. St. Clair,
Your magnificent book “Most Comprehensive Origins of Clichés, Proverbs, and Figurative Expressions” was indeed a pleasure for me to read. It’s so thorough on those specific topics. I especially appreciate your massive bibliography, which indicates lots of detailed research work.