bag of mystery
idiom - humorous

- a sausage, the contents of which are unknown and therefore mysterious

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ORIGIN

The terms ‘bag of mystery’ and ‘mystery bag’ are colloquially used to mean sausage and saveloy*. John S. Farmer explained why in Slang and its Analogues Past and Present (1890):

“Bags of mystery — Sausages and saveloys* are so called — from the often mysterious character of their compounds. Presumably composed of minced ‘meat,’ but so highly flavoured and seasoned that no man can tell whereof they are made.”

*saveloy = Zervelatwurst

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VICTORIAN VOCABULARY

"Bags of Mystery" like other enchanting vocabulary from Queen Victoria's era (1819-1901) are worth enjoying and even reviving.

The Victorians were extremely prudish, in particular regarding nakedness. Politically correct language forbade explicit reference to nakedness, body parts or functions, and reproduction.

Even the word ‘trousers’ was not to be spoken in polite company, presumably on account of their mysterious contents. The Victorian lexicon for trousers included: round-me-houses, sit-upons, unmentionables, and inexpressibles.

Instead of ‘love making’, Victorians preferred to say: amorous congress, basket-making, bread-and-butter fashion, face-making, being in convivial society, sharing melting-moments, and riding St. George.

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Practice OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“Waiter! What delights has the chef put into our BAGS OF MYSTERY today?”

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Paul Smith