pig

A pig is a farm animal that is raised for its meat. The meat is called "pork." From a pig comes bacon, pork chops, ribs, sausages, and ham. These various cuts of meat are very popular in many countries around the world, but pork is fobidden for people who follow Islamic customs.

This is a pig.

The word "pig" is often used when a person’s behavior or appearance is dirty or like that of a pig.

• He eats like a pig.
• Don’t make a pig of yourself. (Don’t take too much or eat too much of something.
• She made a pig of herself. (She ate too much.)
• His room is a pig sty. (It’s very messy.)
• We pigged out on pizza at the party. (We ate a lot of pizza. This is not a bad thing to do!)

Some expressions and slang include the word "pig."

• I’m sweating like a pig.
• You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.
• The protest was peaceful until the pigs arrived. (pigs = the police)
• Vanessa’s boss is a male chauvenist pig. (He disrespects women and regards them with lust.)

There are a few other ways in which this word is used.

A piggy bank is used for saving money.
Sometimes a football is called a "pig skin" because the outside of the ball might be made from the hide of a pig.
She’s giving her sister a piggyback ride. (She’s riding on her sister’s back.)
A guinea pig is not a pig. It’s a rodent that some people like to keep as pets; however, scientists also use guinea pigs for laboratory experiments.
The toes of a child are sometimes called "piggies." Starting with the big toe, parents grab and wiggle the toes until they get to the little toe while saying this:	This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little piggy went wee wee wee wee wee…all the way home.

Click here to learn more words.

February 26, 2014