Meaning & Analysis
The act of applying grease to a sow that is already fat is nonsensical and redundant, as the animal has a more than sufficient amount of its own fat.
Insights
Wasteful Generosity
The proverb is a sharp critique of giving more to those who are already wealthy or have an abundance. It symbolizes any superfluous action that adds to a surplus, highlighting the wastefulness of such gestures.
Sycophancy and Flattery
It represents the act of flattering or bribing the rich and powerful who have no need for such gifts. The gesture is not about fulfilling a need but about currying favor with those who are already influential.
Pointless Endeavor
The saying illustrates the concept of misdirected and pointless effort. Just as greasing a fat sow achieves nothing useful, it refers to any action or allocation of resources that is fundamentally useless because it is applied where it is not needed.
Critique of Inequity
The proverb serves as a metaphor for economic and social inequality, where wealth and resources are often directed toward the already affluent, while the needy are overlooked. It captures the absurdity of a system where abundance attracts more abundance.
Agricultural Symbolism
The sow, a symbol of agricultural wealth, represents abundance. To 'grease' an already fat sow is an act of absurd excess. The proverb's crude, rustic imagery makes its critique of misdirected generosity—giving more to the already rich—visceral and memorable.
Cross-Cultural Parallels
This proverb shares its core meaning with classical sayings like 'bringing owls to Athens' and the English 'carrying coals to Newcastle', as noted in the 1666 quotation. This demonstrates a universal, timeless critique of superfluous actions and the tendency to lavish gifts on the wealthy.
Psychology of Sycophancy
The act of 'greasing the fat sow' points to the psychological tendency of sycophants to flatter the powerful and wealthy. It critiques a social dynamic where resources and attention flow to those who need them least, reinforcing existing power structures and neglecting genuine need.
Social and Economic Critique
As a piece of social commentary, the proverb highlights economic injustice. It implicitly contrasts the wasteful generosity toward the 'fat sow' with the neglect of the poor, a theme made explicit in the related proverb, 'Everyone bastes the fat hog, while the lean one burns'.
Rhetorical Devices
Rustic Imagery
The proverb employs strong, earthy, and slightly grotesque imagery of greasing a pig. This vivid and memorable picture effectively communicates the absurdity of the action being described.
Metaphor
The entire phrase functions as a metaphor for redundant or sycophantic acts. The 'fat sow' symbolizes the wealthy or powerful, and 'greasing' represents the act of giving them unnecessary gifts or flattery.
Dysphemism
Many historical versions of the proverb use coarse language, such as 'grease the fat sow in the arse'. This dysphemism enhances the sense of vulgarity and absurdity, making the social critique more pointed.
Transcription
Quotations
Should we (quoth I) grease the fat sow in the arse.
It is as well bestowed vpon him, as to grease a fatte Sow in the arse.
As fulsum huswiues greasing the fatt sow in the tayle to make better bacon, so they bribed him that was abundarint in all possessions.
Smeir the fat sowes ars.
(We must not grease the).
(All men to grease the).
(in the arse).
Everie man flames the fat sowes arse.
The fattest Hogs we grease the more w Lard.
The English say, to grease a fat sow in the arse, also, to carry coles to Newcastle, Owls to Athens, and Pots to Samos.
[As in 1641 Ferg.].
(They grease the).
To grease the fat Sow in the arse, or in the tail, that is to give to those that do not want it, or that have more than enough.
To grease a fat Sow.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.