Where did the saying "the whole hog" originate? What was its original meaning?

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Where did the saying "the whole hog" originate? What was its original meaning?

I heard this saying on TV and found it interesting.

2006-12-28 05:39:05 · 2 answers · asked by amy 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay

2 answers

Doing something in a thoroughgoing way.
American Butcher's slang:
Encouraging customers to "go the whole hog" rather than piecemeal, which was more expensive.

2006-12-28 05:52:19 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Wildwood 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋

It's from the early 1800s and refers to purchasing an entire pig from a butcher, as opposed to just a cut of meat.

2006-12-28 05:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by SDTerp 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋