even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then
Even a clumsy or no-account person gets lucky sometimes.
Also called even a blind pig finds an acorn, even a blind hog'll find an acorn.
Updated September 21, 2026
even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then pronunciation
/EE-vun uh BLIND hog FYNDZ un AY-korn now und then/
Meaning
A farmyard way to say somebody who usually messes up still hits pay dirt once in a while. You hear it as a tease when a buddy finally nails something, or as a shrug when luck lands in the wrong hands. Same idea as a broken clock being right twice a day, but with hogs rooting for acorns in the woods.
How folks use it
- “He finally fixed that fence right. Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then.”
- “Don't get cocky. Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then.”
Origin and etymology
American rural proverb built on free-ranging hogs that root for acorns under oak trees. Blind pig and blind hog versions both turn up in Southern and Appalachian talk. Older European sayings used other blind animals finding food, but the hog-and-acorn picture stuck hard in farm country.
Frequently asked questions
Is it meant as an insult?
Often light teasing. It can sting if you aim it hard, but porch talk usually says it with a grin.