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CBGLuthier

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18. According to The Straight Dope, the usage goes back for centuries.

Sun Aug 17, 2014, 05:41 PM

Aug 2014

If you thought the term pig arose in the 1960s, you're in for a surprise. 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 (see above.) Before that, the term "pig" had been used as early as the mid-1500s to refer to a person who is heartily disliked.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2209/why-are-the-police-called-cops-pigs-or-the-fuzz

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Can you remember when cops were called "pigs"? [View all] kentuck Aug 2014 OP

I see a lot of similarity between those "pigs" and the ones today who are killing too many unarmed jwirr Aug 2014 #1

Definitely IMO there is a mental health question with today's cops. I think RKP5637 Aug 2014 #14

They give them... ReRe Aug 2014 #37

Probably --- a psycho cop will just do as ordered, no thought, no questions. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #45

Yeah... ReRe Aug 2014 #47

I think it may have an "Animal Farm " reference. alphafemale Aug 2014 #2

What you mean when? hobbit709 Aug 2014 #3

Hahaha In_The_Wind Aug 2014 #4

60s, 70s. Iggo Aug 2014 #5

Me, either. I heard it in the 70's a LOT. Today, not at all. eom BlueCaliDem Aug 2014 #26

Just checked my references csziggy Aug 2014 #6

I thought it was because of the gas masks riot police wore elias49 Aug 2014 #7

Bingo.... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #32

Just like it was yesterday... TeeYiYi Aug 2014 #8

I still call them that (nt) bigwillq Aug 2014 #9

I haven't stopped calling them that... RoccoR5955 Aug 2014 #11

Cobra. Action_Patrol Aug 2014 #10

Sure do! PearliePoo2 Aug 2014 #12

I remember being told that it stood for Police-In-General... likesmountains 52 Aug 2014 #13

Yes, that level of contempt for the cops was common among some groups in the '60s and '70s. Igel Aug 2014 #15

And if those in authority have a gun and a badge and military hardware... kentuck Aug 2014 #16

Don't think it wasn't pervasive. Curmudgeoness Aug 2014 #31

Sure. 1. Kent State (OK that was Nat'l Guard) no_hypocrisy Aug 2014 #17

According to The Straight Dope, the usage goes back for centuries. CBGLuthier Aug 2014 #18

Thank you! ReRe Aug 2014 #40

Yup and it was for a VERY good reason Gman Aug 2014 #19

Oh, yeah...Apparently, in the present, at least, it's use isn't limited to the USA whathehell Aug 2014 #20

From the White Album kentuck Aug 2014 #21

Will never forget that one. ReRe Aug 2014 #41

In the 60s, it was more often "fuzz" starroute Aug 2014 #22

According to this book... ReRe Aug 2014 #42

According to Wikipedia, Fuzz was first used in the 1920s and pig in the 19th century. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #52

"Pig"... ReRe Aug 2014 #55

Pigs, Fuzz, and the heat PasadenaTrudy Aug 2014 #23

Pigs and fuzz GP6971 Aug 2014 #27

Seems to have originally been associated with the Black Panther Party starroute Aug 2014 #24

Yes. DinahMoeHum Aug 2014 #25

I think the first step in christx30 Aug 2014 #28

Amen! n/t ReRe Aug 2014 #43

Good luck getting anyone to take that job. Michigander_Life Aug 2014 #46

They still need to be held christx30 Aug 2014 #48

Remember it? Mr.Bill Aug 2014 #29

Just want to be clear on this. cwydro Aug 2014 #30

Only the abusive cops are pigs meow2u3 Aug 2014 #35

Never understood why "pigs".... Helen Borg Aug 2014 #33

I remember rickyhall Aug 2014 #34

I'd always assumed that was the meaning bvf Aug 2014 #36

Alas. I cannot remember when they weren't. Demeter Aug 2014 #38

I think it gained currency during the 1968 Chicago Dem Convention Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #39

Si, Senor(a) ReRe Aug 2014 #44

"Mayor Daley, that porcomorph" starroute Aug 2014 #49

The most evil thing just popped into my head mindwalker_i Aug 2014 #50

Yeah, pigs or fuzz. nt valerief Aug 2014 #51

I prefer the term Jack-boot Thugs, Kalidurga Aug 2014 #53

As a kid in the 50's JEB Aug 2014 #54

Yes, I still do call them that sometimes, Blue_In_AK Aug 2014 #56