The Rural Voice, 1982-08, Page 39VOICE OF A FARMER
"Hog calling"
by Adrian Vos
As a pork producer 1 will. belatedly, protest against the
derogatory expressions either direct, or implied when the word
pig or hog is used as a noun or as a verb.
Anyone who ever had to catch a pig escaped from the pen, can
testify there is no such thing as a "slow"
hog. But the expression, "Slow as a hog
on ice" is said to mean the slow movement
of a lazily thrown stone in a game of
curling.
The expression that someone driving in
the middle of the road is "hogging" it
means to grab, monopolize, or take over.
Pigs are not like that at all. See how
peacefully they eat together after they've r
got to know each other, and instead of
hogging and sleeping space, they snuggle
together as any pair of newlyweds in
December.
It is hogwash that pigs are hoggish, meaning greedy. and
selfish, gross and filthy, or offensive and squalid.
The expression "to buy a pig in a poke" reflects more on the
nefarious habits of the human race than on the pig itself, and it is
impossible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear may be true in a
literal sense, but nowadays the silk purse is out of fashion and the
purse of pigskin is much more valuable than the first.
To be fair to other animals, the pig is not the only animal to be
downgraded. Who has not been called woolly-headed on occasion,
deservedly or not? It usually generates a sheepish expression on
the recipient.
Many common expressions relating to sheep are com-
plimentary. A leader is sometimes referred as a "bellwether",
the leading ram who wore the bell around his neck. And
sometimes we weave a tale or spin a yarn from sheep's wool.
Behind her back a woman may be called a "cow" or a gent may
be "the old goat". Nevertheless, the willingness of a she -goat to
care for other animals gave her the honor of imparting her name to
the governess or "nanny".
It seems we are always looking for a favorable comparison for
our friends and ourself, and for an unfavorable one for those we
dislike. The busy beaver becomes then an ugly beast, and the
stupid ox the epitome of strength, depending on whom we want
to describe.
I protest against the name-calling of our friends the animals.
don't mind being called a pig, as long as it is understood that a pig
is clean, a good mother and has a friendly disposition. I hope the
world will join me in my protest.
DWR liOokbis
DRA1NA1111
Farm and Municipal Drainage Systems
Clay & Plastic Tile Installations
R.R. 4, STRATFORD
(519) 271-4777
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We are agents for the
ONTARIO WHEAT BOARD
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We also buy and dry
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Barley
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AMBERLEY
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• GRAIN ELEVATOR
,,; Located at the Junction of
Hwy. #21 and Hwy. #86
Division of
PARRISH & HEIMBECKER Ltd.
;. R.R.3,
Goderich, Ontario
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Phone 395-3300
H. KUNTZ
MANUFACTURING INC
Oates, Feeder. 8 Equipment
Ontario's Quality
Green Line Made
from high tensile
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"dip" painted to
last years and
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Rugged 8' di. Feeds 18 new
Also available In Tombstone
Mad. from 1" Sq. High Tensile $ eel tubing. Welded hanger ferrules
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20' lengths and weight O' 2 Ibe per toot.
H. Kuntz Manufacturing Inc.
46 Isabella St., St. Jacobs, Ontario
(519) 664-2820 NOB 2Nu
THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1982 PG. 39