More pigs

 

More pigs

                                Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Hilary mentioned a pig in a poke. It was the custom to carry piglets to market in a poke or sack. Buyers did not inspect the contents of the sack, so were buying blind and in good faith, laying themselves open to sharp practice.

Sometimes a customer would pay for or trade for a pig in a poke only to discover, too late, that a cat had been substituted. When the buyer opened the sack to look at his purchase, the cat would leap out, leading to the expression, ‘letting the cat out of the bag.’

In 1555, the saying ran:

I wyll neuer bye the pyg in the poke               I will never buy the pig in the poke

Thers many a foule pyg in a feyre cloke      There’s many a foul pig in a fair cloak

Pig iron is nothing to do with pigs, unsurprisingly. The crude iron ingots are brittle and are not used directly and need to be refined. Pig iron is used in steel production, cast iron and wrought iron. Molten iron was poured into a channel, called the sow, which had smaller moulds branching from it. The resulting small ingots are said to resemble suckling pigs.

St Anthony’s pig, or Tantony, is the smallest pig in a litter, maybe a pet pig, sometimes called the runt. Saint Anthony is the patron saint of pigs and pig keepers. He was also entreated to heal skin diseases like ergotism which was endemic in mediaeval times. This ailment resulted from eating grain infected with a fungus that caused convulsions, gangrene and death. Those afflicted often suffered severe feelings of burning, which gave rise to the common name of St Anthonys Fire.

The Hospitallers of St Anthony nursed the sick and would often receive a Tantony. The little pig would be dressed with bells and allowed to wander the streets. Local people would feed the pig, which became a symbol of charity and caring.                             

There are three canddates for the name of Pig Island. The first was an unflattering name for New Zealand. Captain James Cook introduced pigs to New Zealand in the second half of the 18^th century He may have entertained charitable intentions, to allow pigs to breed and provide food for the indigenous people. The pigs thrived and did much damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity. They remain a persistent problem.

                                        Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The second Pig Island, or Pig Beach, is in the Bahamas. This is an island uninhabited by humans, but providing home for a colony of swimming pigs, some goats and a few cats. The pigs are a tourist attraction, and swim out to boats hoping for tasty treats.

The third place is in Thailand. Koh Madsum, or Pig Island, lies thirty minutes off the coast of Koh Samui. The pigs live on the beaches and greet tourists with joy. They enjoy treats like watermelon.

There are conflicting stories of their arrival on the island. One source claims that the pigs swam to Koh Madsum from an island nearby. Another story says that a local man rescued four underfed pigs from a market and took them to the island, where they settled in and became happy inhabitants, relaxing on the beautiful sands and swimming in the clear waters. Visitors can expect to be greeted by about ten friendly pigs.

 

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons