Pig in a poke
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Pig-in-a-poke refers to a scam originating in the Late Middle Ages, when meat was scarce, but apparently rats and cats were not.
The scheme entailed the sale of a "suckling pig", in a "poke" (bag). The wriggling bag actually contained a cat, not particularly prized as a source of meat, which was then sold unopened to the victim.
A common colloquial expression in the English language, to "buy a pig in a poke" is to make a risky purchase by not inspecting an item beforehand. The phrase can also be applied to accepting an idea or plan without a full understanding of its basis. Similar expressions exist in other languages, e.g. in German "die Katze im Sack kaufen" or Dutch "een kat in de zak kopen" (lit.: to buy the cat in a bag).
This is also the origin of the expressions: "Let the cat out of the bag" meaning 'to reveal that which is secret', and "left holding the bag" meaning 'to find oneself with nothing for their efforts', as the cat is quite likely to flee when the bag is opened.
The phrase let the cat out of the bag is also referenced to the English Navy practice of flogging with the "Cat" of nine tails. To let the cat out of the bag meaning to reveal a crewman's indiscretion that will result in a flogging with the "cat" (of nine tails).
See also
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