bacon
B1Informal to neutral in its culinary sense; slang in its money sense.
Definition
Meaning
Cured and smoked meat from the back or sides of a pig, typically sliced and fried or grilled.
By extension, it can refer to money, livelihood, or success, especially in informal contexts (e.g., 'bring home the bacon').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass (uncountable) noun (e.g., 'I ate some bacon'). Can be used countably in phrases like 'a slice of bacon' or 'several bacons' when referring to different types.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK 'bacon' typically refers to back bacon (a leaner cut with a round of meat and a strip of fat), while US 'bacon' is almost exclusively streaky bacon (from the pork belly, with alternating fat and meat).
Connotations
Largely the same positive culinary connotations. The slang use for 'money' is more common in US English.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. The culinary term is a staple of everyday vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + bacon (for breakfast)fry + baconcook + baconeat + baconbring home + the baconVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bring home the bacon”
- “save one's bacon”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'The new contract will help us bring home the bacon this quarter.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/agricultural contexts discussing food production.
Everyday
Extremely common: 'Do you want bacon with your eggs?'
Technical
Used in butchery, food science, and culinary arts to specify cuts and curing methods.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Bacon' is not commonly used as a verb.
American English
- 'Bacon' is not commonly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- Not standard. Use 'bacon-flavoured'.
American English
- Informal/slang: 'That's a bacon-wrapped date' (literal). 'Bacon' as an attributive noun is common: 'bacon sandwich'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like bacon for breakfast.
- The bacon is very salty.
- Could you fry some bacon while I make the eggs?
- A traditional English breakfast includes bacon, eggs, and sausages.
- He managed to save his bacon by submitting the report just before the deadline.
- The recipe calls for crispy streaky bacon, not the back variety.
- The new policy is seen as a way for the government to bring home the bacon with middle-class voters.
- Artisanal bacon, cured with maple and juniper, has become a gourmet staple.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BAke it and it's CONvincingly delicious' -> BA-CON.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS FOOD (specifically, bacon) as in 'bring home the bacon' meaning to earn a living.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бекон' (bekon) - it's a direct cognate and means the same cured pork product.
- The Russian word 'ветчина' (vetchina) usually translates to 'ham', not 'bacon'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a bacon' (incorrect: use 'a slice/rasher of bacon').
- Confusing 'bacon' with 'ham' (ham is from the hind leg, usually less fatty and not typically fried crisp).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'bacon' to mean 'escape a difficult situation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable (e.g., 'I love bacon'). You can make it countable by using a unit (e.g., 'two rashers of bacon') or when referring to types (e.g., 'American and British bacons are different').
Bacon comes from the back, sides, or belly of the pig and is cured and often smoked, then typically cooked. Ham comes from the hind leg, is also cured and often smoked, but is usually sold pre-cooked and can be eaten cold.
It's an informal idiom meaning to earn a living or achieve success, especially for one's family.
No. While a classic breakfast food, it is widely used in sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, wrapped around other foods, and as a flavourful ingredient in many cuisines.