Putting on a streak of lean
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
September 8, 2023 12:33am CST
We’ve been sleeping in a bit longer than usual lately as there isn’t always much to do when we do get up. At the moment, it can be nice and snug and warm in bed too.
We usually get up and have a first cup of coffee then, a bit later, we have another cup of coffee and whatever breakfast we might be having. If we’ve been late getting up, it might be mid-morning by then so it’s too late really to have ‘morning tea’ as it used to be called.
I said to Vince that we’d be putting on a ‘streak of lean’. Another of those weird sayings that have been around for yonks/ages. In the days when we were young, if you had to miss a meal for whatever reason, it would be said you were putting on a streak of lean as opposed to putting on fat. I knew the term had something to do with pigs.
I looked up the origins of the phrase and came across several conflicting items about it. One said that the term applied to salt pork that contains a significant amount of meat and another which said it was a piece of pork fat with a very small amount of meat in it. So there you go. You can believe whichever one you wish.
18 people like this
19 responses
@DaddyEvil (174482)
• United States
8 Sep 23
I've never heard the phrase "putting on a streak of lean" before and wouldn't have known what it meant. 
5 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Sep 23
@DaddyEvil @BarBaraPrz When I read about 'streak of lean' bacon and I'd never heard of it I assumed it must be an American type of bacon.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174482)
• United States
9 Sep 23
@JudyEv Not that I've ever heard of, no. But, of course, I don't know everything, either.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (208938)
• United States
8 Sep 23
That is one I have never heard of. I need a whole of steaks of lean I think...lol. However, I typically don't miss meals. I am sure you have guessed..
. Yesterday though I had to fast for bloodwork, and the night before only had a salad..plus an apple later...so I didn't actually eat until quite late yesterday.
. Yesterday though I had to fast for bloodwork, and the night before only had a salad..plus an apple later...so I didn't actually eat until quite late yesterday.1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
8 Sep 23
Now there is a new one on me..but I took it to mean anything about bacon too. Thanks Judy..fascinating all this.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14785)
• Ireland
8 Sep 23
@judyev It was afternoon tea for us growing up rather than morning tea; in the morning it was called morning coffee although curiously the beverage partaken of was invariably tea. Afternoon tea was a delightfully colonial ceremony with China cups, Melba toast and a slice of lemon to sit alongside the tea. Table cloth and napkins in silver napkin rings, a little silver tea strainer and a silver bell to ring to indicate to Judith (not you) that we had finished, and all of that enjoyed under the shade of the jacaranda tree in the garden.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
8 Sep 23
That's a new phrase for me. Are you on a house-sit right now? Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Sep 23
@LindaOHio The next house-sit has a border collie puppy to care for. I hope I'll be able to post a photo of it. I think there are two cats and some chooks. And horses in a paddock who shouldn't need any care other than keeping an eye on them.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
9 Sep 23
@JudyEv You guys keep pretty busy. Does your next house-sit have animals?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Sep 23
Interesting Phrase. Even more interesting definition(s).
Well, you can always have the British Colonial style "Morning Tea".
Or the modified version we have with the Indian Chai and Cookies (Biscuits as they care called by many in India).
I somehow prefer the Coffee in Office more than at home.
The home made Coffee tends to be heavier.
Perhaps you can write a "series" of Posts about weight control after some time !!
I somehow prefer the Coffee in Office more than at home.
The home made Coffee tends to be heavier.
Perhaps you can write a "series" of Posts about weight control after some time !!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
9 Sep 23
Every saying has a history and this one it seems has emanated from pigs being fed or not fed.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
17 Sep 23
My mother used to buy a streak of lean, a piece of some kind of pork to season boiled foods. I've never heard of it being a phrase, though. Very interesting.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91109)
• United States
8 Sep 23
Putting on a streak of lean is not something I ever heard before. It's funny how phrases become popular but not necessarily worldwide. It's funny that it has two different meanings.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Sep 23
I am really surprised that none of my US friends have heard of it. Neither has anyone else it seems.
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Sep 23
Sounds more like it has something to do with bacon...
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17240)
• China
8 Sep 23
I guess it means losing some weight.Is it early spring over ther ?
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15372)
• Hong Kong
8 Sep 23
Never heard ot this phrase. Learned something new again. Thank you.
1 person likes this
