Why do people say they eat pork instead of pig?

Question

It is the same after all? They never say:"Can I have a bit of pig please?" Or instead of cow they say beef. Isn't it just an euphemism to make people feel better about their guilt of eating meat?

Answer 1

You`re right! That`s why they say veal instead of tortured baby calves. Don`t get me started!!!

Answer 2

It might be the same thing in the long run, but the difference in names relates to whether the animal is alive or dead viz: a dead pig becomes pork or bacon, a dead cow is beef, a dead calf is veal BUT the 'rule' only applies to certain animals, so sheep and lambs retain their name and as the whole thing is all down to the past, I suggest you look into the history of naming animals and forget this nonsense about it being euphemisms and guilt complexes. What rubbish!

Answer 3

Cos pork is the meat of a pig like beef is the meat of a cow, can you imagine shouting out I'll have some pig or cow, you'd be in front of a discrimination board before you could say your last name with all this PC lark today.

Answer 4

1.) They don't eat the pig nor the cow they eat their meat that is why its called "Pork" and "beef".
2.) It sounds better.

Answer 5

cause there are different products from a pig honey, bacon,liver,pork chops,sausages,pork loin e.t.c this is why they say what they want instead of pig, as if you walk into a butchers and say i will have 2 lbs of pork the butcher will not have a clue what you want. Its not a euphemism

Answer 6

After the norman conquest, the normans formed the ruling class, so they ate the meat but did not look after the animals, which was done by the anglo saxons.
The normans called the flesh they ate after their word for pig, 'porc', while those who looked after the animals used their word ie 'pig'

Answer 7

Why do people say they are eating beef instead of eating cow

Answer 8

When the words beef and pork were first used, i sincerely doubt that people were concerned about the animal since they were prob killing the animal themselves.

Answer 9

Yes it is a sly euphemism. I DO NOT eat pig, cow, chicken, lamb or human being. I am aware.

Answer 10

Who is guilty about eating meat? Who needs a euphemism?

Call it what ever you want.... nothing is tastier than a thick, rare slab of beef slow cooked over a bed of hot coals, smothered in onions and butter.....


hmmmmmmmm tasty!!!

Answer 11

no, a pork is dead, a pig is alive, although i dont know b/c chicken is the same dead or alive, But ohh well. Hope that answered ur question.