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Growing up rural Massachusetts, I clearly remember my mother, grandfather, great grandfather and others use the expression, "Pig in a poke" or "Don't buy a pig in a poke". To us, and to other New England farmers, it refers to a problem animal. A poke, still commonly found, is a single animal version of a yoke, or animal collar. A yoke is used on oxen, horses, and other large animals. A poke denotes a smaller, usually one animal, version used on problem goats, pigs, and other animals who were confined to a pen or fenced area. The intent of the pokes was to make it difficult or impossible for the ambitious animal to escape the confines of the pen or case. Thus, it follows the traditional general use of " don't buy a pig in a poke" as not buying an item without full disclosures, or items with problems, or caveat emptor or...., yet has the specific purpose of expressing that one should not buy a problem animal, or specifically, an animal requiring a poke in order to contain or manage the animal. I found several examples of pokes on Google images (easy to spot), and followed links to a Maine blog with the same understanding, another in Wisconsin. Also, I have been involved in antiques collecting and sales for the last several decades, and will attest that a poke, as described, can be found commonly in the trade, with the seller often giving the same understanding. I am not ambitious enough to be a worthwhile editor, but just wanted to share my experience.
