This idiom means to earn a living, provide financial support, or achieve success, as if bringing home the prized bacon from a fair or hunt. It conveys responsibility or accomplishment, often used in professional or personal contexts to praise breadwinners or winners. The phrase carries a tone of pride, duty, or triumph, reflecting cultural values of provision and the human tendency to value tangible results. Its culinary imagery evokes a rewarding prize, resonating in scenarios like jobs or competitions. The idiom celebrates success, making it a hearty metaphor for earning or winning.

The phrase likely originated in 12th-century England, tied to the Dunmow Flitch, a tradition awarding bacon to harmonious couples, as noted in historical records. Its modern use emerged in early 20th-century America, with *The New York Times* (1906) using it for boxers earning purses. The idiom gained traction in the 1920s, amplified by sports and labor slang, notably in *The Saturday Evening Post*. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures, especially in the U.S., stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to earning, with use in the U.K. and Australia.