He’d Peel An Orange In His Pocket

"He’d peel an orange in his pocket" is one of those wonderfully sharp Irish expressions used to describe someone who's tight-fisted, secretive, or just plain miserly.

You know the kind of person - someone who’d hide a teabag after one use so he can dry it and reuse it tomorrow.

This is one of those brilliant Irish expressions that says a lot without saying much at all. It paints a picture of someone so tight with money or sly in their ways that they’d go to ridiculous lengths just to avoid sharing. Such a person is afraid of even being seen enjoying something as small as an orange.

This saying is a colourful way of calling someone out for being stingy, secretive, or downright mean, all wrapped up in classic Irish humour and a touch of gentle mockery.

Meaning In Plain, Miserly Terms:

This saying is not about fruit or jacket space, I’ll tell you that.

It means the person is so stingy or secretive that they wouldn’t dare let anyone see them enjoy even the smallest of treats.

Peeling an orange, something you’d normally do openly and with the zest flying, is done in the pocket, away from prying eyes, because heaven forbid someone might ask for a slice!

Origin – A Slice of Irish Wit

Like many great Irish sayings, its exact origin is hard to pin down, but it’s likely rooted in the oral storytelling tradition and rural Irish life, where frugality was often necessary, but stinginess never appreciated.

That was a different kettle of fish. And sure, in a tight-knit village, someone who wouldn’t share a crumb wouldn’t go unnoticed. This phrase popped up as a way to describe such a character with a good dose of sarcasm and humour.

Sweet oranges were brought to the British Isles from Portugal and Spain, brought back by explorers and merchants during the 16th century. These were highly prized and often grown in orangeries by the wealthy.

During the 17th to 19th centuries oranges became more widely available, though still expensive and beyond the reach of the Irish poor. They were associated with Christmas and luxury. They were often gifted, especially in Victorian times.

The tradition of receiving an orange at Christmas in Ireland and the UK is a remnant of the time when oranges were rare and precious treats.

Life Applications (and a bit of craic):

In the workplace: That colleague who hoards pens, steals your milk, and mysteriously disappears when it’s their round for coffee? He’d peel an orange in his pocket.

In relationships: The one who “forgets” their wallet every time the bill comes? Orange-peeler in the pocket, no doubt.

In politics? Ah well, we’ll say no more.

The Moral of the Story

This saying isn’t just a laugh, it’s a reminder for life.

Don’t be the person who hides their orange. Share your time, your kindness, maybe even a biscuit now and then. Because in Ireland, and in life, nobody likes a miser. We all admire a generous soul with a bit of wit and warmth.

So next time you see someone hoarding the good cookies or biscuits or guarding their chocolates like they're gold, just smile and say,
“Go on, now... don’t be peeling your orange in your pocket!”

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