uncannily, this is number five in the series of history lessons, which is why, after some thought, i decided to call it history lesson 5:

in days gone by, folk would sometimes be able to get pork to eat, and this made them feel quite special.
so when visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off.

it was a sign of wealth that a man could bring home the bacon.

they would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

doris still hangs up her bacon to show off.
she usually keeps a few slices on a pendant round her neck, in case she gets peckish on a trip to the supermarket.
so you see, nothing has really changed.