Boys has some curious remarks upon the subject [N. and Q., 2 S., iv., 132] in effect as follows. In connecting the phrase to save one's bacon with its original meaning, we are carried back to times when imputed heresy was expiated at the stake; and a man was said to have just saved his bacon (i.e., from frying), who had himself narrowly escaped the penalty of being burnt alive. This connection of the two ideas is thus shown. When a pig is killed, it is the custom in some of the southern countries of Europe, as well as in many parts of England, to remove the bristles from the dead pig's hide, not by scalding but by singeing. This is an operation of some nicety; for too much singeing would spoil the bacon. But practice makes perfect; and by the aid of ignited stubble, straw, or paper, the object is effected. The bristles are all singed off, and the bacon remains intact. This operation of singeing is in Portugal called chamuscar, from chama or chamma, a flame or blaze. Chamuscar, to singe, as pigs, to takeoff the hair (Moraes). Hence the noun chamusco, which is the smell of anything that has been singed. Hence also the phrase cheira a chamusco (he smells of singeing). This last phrase, however, cheira a chamusco, was specially applied to any suspected heretic:—'o que merece ser queimado, e faz per onde o seja, o que dizião por afronta aos Judeos encobertos. That is 'he who deserved to be burnt, and acted in a way that was very likely to lead to it,' was said to smell of singeing ('cheirar a chamusco'), i.e., to smell of the fire. Consequently, the phrase was contumeliously addressed to anyone who was secretly a Jew (Moraes). Thus the persecuted Israelite, who steadfastly adhered to his forefathers' creed, and lived in daily peril of the stake, was allusively but threateningly and insultingly compared to the abhorred carcass, which, though not yet roasted, boiled or fried, had already the smell of fire. If, after all, he was actually burnt alive, the same allusion was carried out to the end; for he was then said, 'morrer frito,' to be fried to death (literally, 'to die fried'). But even if not burnt he still had the chamusco, or 'smell of fire'; that is, he had only just saved his bacon.
1691. Weesils, I., 5. No, they'l conclude I do't to save my bacon. [m.]
1705. Ward, Hudibras Redivivus, vol. I., pt. II., p. 12. For could their talent be forsaken, And they unite truth to save their bacon.
1721. Mrs. Centlivre, The Artifice, v., ii. That pretence shan't save your bacon, you old villain you.
1836. M. Scott, Cringle's Log, ch. v. 'You know I saved your bacon in that awkward affair, when through drunkenness you plumped the Torch ashore.'
1866. C. Reade, Never Too Late, ch. lii. Jem drew a long breath and said brutally, yet with something of satisfaction, 'You have saved your bacon this time.'
The French equivalent it may be noticed is somewhat analogous—sauver son lard, i.e., 'to save one's bacon.'
Possibly, however, most people will be inclined to take the phrase at its face value, without resort to complicated argumentative derivation. In such a case the figurative use
