Where does the expression 'sold a pup' come from?

Question

I think it means 'sold a dud' is this right? If so what is the origin?

Answer 1

According to http://www.localhistories.org/sayings.ht... the saying is related to "pig in a poke", which, the site explains, was "[s]omething bought without checking it first. A poke was a bag. If you bought a pig in a poke it might turn out the 'pig' was actually a puppy or a cat." It goes on to define "sold a pup" by saying that "[i]f you bought a piglet the seller placed it in a bag or sack. Sometimes, with his hands out of sight, the seller would slip a puppy into the sack. If you were swindled in that way you were sold a pup."

Moral: Buy your bacon at the supermarket, unless you like fried dog with your eggs.

Answer 2

i saw in the old "mind your language" series the phrase being used.

it means to con, cheat or lie to someone.

a similar one is

  "sold a dummy"