buy a pig in a poke

The phrase "buy a pig in a poke" means to make a purchase without having a clear understanding or knowledge of what one is buying. It refers to a situation where someone buys something blindly or without inspecting it beforehand. The term originates from a practice in medieval markets where sellers would place small pigs (pokes) in bags, concealing their true condition. Buyers would then purchase the bag without knowing the actual state or quality of the pig inside. Thus, "buying a pig in a poke" signifies making a purchase without adequate information or being deceived.