2007-05-16 02:36:53 · 8 answers · asked by betsvc 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It was thought that the usage of pig to describe a police officer derived in the 1960’s at the time of the riots. It has also been described as a reference to George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm. However, this term dates even further back than the 1960’s. The website www.wordorigins.org explains this origin in full detail as stated,
The OED2 has pig being used as a term for a contemptuous person as early as 1546. The earliest cite for a police officer in particular is from the Lexicon Balatronicum of 1811, which defines pig as "a China Street Pig, a Bow Street officer." The Bow Street Runners were an early police force of London, named after the street that housed their headquarters. The Lexicon Balatronicum also offers "floor the pig and bolt," meaning to knock the policeman down and run. According to Partridge, by 1873 the term’s usage was restricted to plain clothes officers. The term was as underground term, part of the criminal argot, until it emerged into the mainstream in the 1960’s.
2007-05-16 02:41:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The OED cites an 1811 reference to a "pig" as a Bow Street Runner--the early police force, named after the location of their headquarters, before Sir Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police Force. Before that, the term "pig" had been used as early as the mid-1500s to refer to a person who is heartily disliked.
The usage was probably confined to the criminal classes until the 1960s, when it was taken up by protesters. False explanations for the term involve the gas masks worn by the riot police in that era, or the pigs in charge of George Orwell's Animal Farm.
2007-05-16 09:43:34 · answer #2 · answered by Debra P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though the use of the word "pig" has its original roots in deep history for a person who was substantially disliked ---- and uses of the word to refer to police as such have much earlier reference points -- the 60's WAS the era that this term became a pop culture icon in word usage !!!
The base for this was the major conflict that existed between the "movements of the day" and the authorities bent on suppressing all such activity at any cost !! And, the FACT that most police officers of the day were grossly overweight and seen as constantly stuffing their faces with some kind of food --- AND --- the FACT that -- in the "carrying out of their 'duties' " --- they had a propensity to ROOT through everything a person had --- be it car, home, or person !! They were also seen as lacking any real personality at all except one of push and shove !!
2007-05-16 10:34:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it may have something to do with the idea that police are "pigheaded".....stubborn and stupid. The first time I heard the term was from the 60s, from the Hippies and Black Panthers and Beatniks.......Don't take my word for it though...
2007-05-16 09:42:22 · answer #4 · answered by rockingballerina 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they can be dirty, mean, nasty and up your *** just like a pig. I believe it came from the south, where pigs are mainly raised and breed!
2007-05-16 09:51:14 · answer #5 · answered by no.#1 Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you are get caught .............tat your Jig jugs they will not listen your justifications and reasoning's and drag you to their custody.
From your Corner they are Sens less or Less Sensitive like Pigs.
2007-05-16 09:52:14 · answer #6 · answered by Konfuzius 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it comes from the ryming slang for "cop" pork chop ...thus pig:::!!!!
2007-05-16 09:45:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Acronym:
Patience
Intelligence
GutS
PIGS
2007-05-16 09:39:42 · answer #8 · answered by pagamenews 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋