pig

¹

[ pig ]

noun

1. a young swine of either sex, especially a domestic hog, Sus scrofa, typically weighing less than 300 pounds (136 kilograms).
2. any wild or domestic swine in the genus Sus, within the family Suidae Old World pigs.
3. the flesh of swine; pork.
4. Informal. a person of piggish character, behavior, or habits, as one who is gluttonous, very fat, greedy, selfish, or filthy.
5. Slang: Disparaging. a police officer.
6. Slang. an extremely rude, ill-mannered person, especially one who is sexist or racist.
7. Slang. an immoral woman, especially a prostitute.
8. Machinery. any tool or device, as a long-handled brush or scraper, used to clear the interior of a pipe or duct.
9. Metallurgy.
   1. an oblong mass of metal that has been run while still molten into a mold of sand or the like, especially such a mass of iron from a blast furnace.
   2. one of the molds for such masses of metal.
   3. metal in the form of such masses.
   4. pig iron.

verb (used with object)

, pigged, pig·ging.

1. Metallurgy. to mold (metal) into oblong masses.
2. Informal. to eat (something) quickly; gulp:

   He pigged three doughnuts and ran off to school.

verb (used without object)

, pigged, pig·ging.

1. to bring forth pigs; farrow.

verb phrase

1. Slang. to overindulge in eating:

   We pigged out on pizza last night.

pig

²

[ pig ]

noun

, Scot. and North England.

1. an earthenware crock, pot, pitcher, or jar.
2. potter's clay; earthenware as a material.

pig

/ pɪɡ /

noun

1. any artiodactyl mammal of the African and Eurasian family Suidae, esp Sus scrofa ( domestic pig ), typically having a long head with a movable snout, a thick bristle-covered skin, and, in wild species, long curved tusks
2. a domesticated pig weighing more than 120 pounds (54 kg) porcine
3. informal.
   a dirty, greedy, or bad-mannered person
4. the meat of swine; pork
5. derogatory.
   a slang word for policeman
6. 1. a mass of metal, such as iron, copper, or lead, cast into a simple shape for ease of storing or transportation
   2. a mould in which such a mass of metal is formed
7. informal.
   something that is difficult or unpleasant
8. an automated device propelled through a duct or pipeline to clear impediments or check for faults, leaks, etc
9. a pig in a poke
   something bought or received without prior sight or knowledge
10. make a pig of oneself informal.
    to overindulge oneself
11. on the pig's back
    successful; established

    he's on the pig's back now

verb

1. intr (of a sow) to give birth
2. informal.
   Alsopig it intr to live in squalor
3. informal.
   tr to devour (food) greedily

Word History and Origins

Origin of pig¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English peg, pyg, pyge, pigge “young pig,” Old English picbrēd “pigbread,” i.e., acorns or stale bread used as fodder; further origin uncertain

Origin of pig²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English pygg; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of pig¹

C13 pigge, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the pig's back, Australian Slang. in a fortunate position.
2. pig it,
   1. to live like a pig, especially in dirt.
   2. to lead a disorganized, makeshift life; live without plan or pattern.

More idioms and phrases containing pig

• in a pig's eye
• like pigs in clover
• make a pig of oneself
• when pigs fly

Example Sentences

The virus was also detected in pigs for the first time recently, which concerns experts because this gives the pathogen another mammalian reservoir that could raise the risk of a pandemic like COVID-19.

From Salon

Two pigs in Oregon have also been infected.

From Los Angeles Times

He is also alleged to have searched whether pigs eat dead bodies and about the appearance of wild boar along Lake Balaton - a body of water near Szigliget.

From BBC

Taking inspiration from Taylor Swift, it's time for a new era: one where being a giant sexist pig has consequences.

From Salon

Rather than positioning foods like tongue and pigs' ears as familiar and comforting, a willingness to embrace the yuck factor became a sign of adventurousness, even masculinity.

From Salon

Related Words

• boar
• hog
• piglet
• swine

More About Pig

Where does pig come from?

Let’s start with a little swine quiz: what’s the difference between a pig and a hog? In the barnyard, a pig is a young domestic hog. Generally speaking, a pig weighs less than 120 pounds, the hog is much heavier.

Like the word dog, forms of the word pig and hog are found in Old English, however their ultimate origin is obscure. Etymologists think that final –g in dog, pig, and hog are related, though.

Discover more everyday words with unknown roots in our slideshow, “‘Dog,’ ‘Boy,’ And Other Words That We Don’t Know Where They Came From.”

Why do we raise pigs but eat pork? Same goes for cow vs. beef. It is because of the influence of French (and its higher social status) in Middle English. Via French, pork comes from the Latin porcus, “pig, hog.”

Now that you know how pigs got their name, why not find out how some of our other most beloved pets got theirs in the slideshow: “Where Do The Words For Our Pets Come From?”

Did you know … ?

Wild pigs were first domesticated in Asia about 7,000—9,000 years ago. The Chinese, it’s widely believed, actually ate an ancient form of bacon as early as 1500 b.c. Today, pork is the most consumed meat protein in the world, despite the eating of pork being considered taboo in several major cultures and religions.

For all their intelligence, pig has gotten a bad rap when it comes to its applications in the English language. Thanks to the animal’s mud-wallowing and eating habits, metaphorical uses of the word pig have negative connotations, commonly used to insult a person as dirty, fat, greedy, gluttonous, or objectionable in other ways (e.g., sexist pig). The word pig has also been used to disparage police officers and sex workers.