The Expression "Sweating Like a Pig" Has Nothing to Do with Pigs

Pigs don't sweat much, so they wallow in the mud to cool off their bodies. So how did the English language expression "sweating like a pig" develop? It's actually a reference to pig iron, which is form of iron smelting:

When pig iron is originally created from iron ore, the smelter needs to heat the ore to extreme temperatures, and then move the liquid metal into the mold. Until the liquid cools, it can't be safely moved, as the extremely hot metal is liable to spill, burning whatever it comes in contact with.

How does the smelter know when the metal is cool enough to transport? When the "pigs" "sweat." As the metal cools, the air around it reaches the dew point, causing droplets to form on the metal's surface.


Link | Photo via Flickr user The Pug Father used under Creative Commons license

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John Farrier

Thanks for your response.

I am a trivia blog fan and amateur fact checker, I look at several blogs each day...but I have to admit that your entries on Neatorama are the best... To all the readers of this, I'm not a shill, I do not know Mr. Farrier and never will, but he is the best, in my opinion. ...giving credit where credit is due.

As for the "sweating like a pig" thing, I'll admit that I cannot find any substantial evidence to negate the blog post. My opinion though is that it's just an illogical saying...for what it's worth.

Bill
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I thought it was an old term that originates from the roasting of a pig. Pork has a much higher fat content than most meat which causes much more moisture and fat during roasting.
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