hog cholera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very Low (technical term)Technical/Veterinary; occasionally metaphorical in literary or journalistic registers.
Quick answer
What does “hog cholera” mean?
A highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of pigs, characterised by fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic lesions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of pigs, characterised by fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic lesions.
In non-technical contexts, it can be used metaphorically to describe a devastating, uncontrollable epidemic or blight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term 'swine fever' (or 'classical swine fever') is more common and formal than 'hog cholera'. 'Hog' is an Americanism, though understood. In American English, 'hog cholera' is the traditional historical term, though 'classical swine fever' (CSF) is now the standard international scientific term used in both regions.
Connotations
In AmE, 'hog cholera' has historical, agricultural connotations. In BrE, it may sound slightly archaic or distinctly American.
Frequency
More frequent in American agricultural/veterinary historical texts. In modern professional discourse globally, 'classical swine fever' (CSF) predominates.
Grammar
How to Use “hog cholera” in a Sentence
An outbreak of [hog cholera] devastated the herd.The farm was quarantined due to [hog cholera].Vaccination programmes have nearly eradicated [hog cholera] in many countries.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hog cholera” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farm's entire stock was destroyed after it was confirmed the pigs had been hog-choleraed (very rare/colloquial).
American English
- Back in the 1920s, a single sick animal could hog-cholera a whole county's worth of herds (historical/informal).
adjective
British English
- The hog-cholera outbreak led to a national movement restriction order.
American English
- They implemented strict hog-cholera protocols at the state border.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agricultural commodities reports, insurance, and trade discussions regarding livestock health restrictions.
Academic
Used in veterinary science, virology, epidemiology, and agricultural history papers.
Everyday
Rarely used. If used, it's typically by farmers, in rural communities, or in historical/metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'The scandal spread through the department like hog cholera').
Technical
Primary context. Refers to the specific notifiable disease caused by Pestivirus C, with discussions of pathogenesis, transmission, and control.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hog cholera”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hog cholera”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hog cholera”
- Using 'hog cholera' to refer to diseases in other animals.
- Misspelling as 'hog cholora'.
- Confusing it with the bacterial disease 'swine dysentery'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different viral diseases. Hog cholera (Classical Swine Fever) is caused by a Pestivirus, while African Swine Fever is caused by a large DNA virus (Asfarviridae). Both are serious, but they are distinct.
No. The classical swine fever virus is not zoonotic; it does not infect humans.
The international scientific community has standardised on the term 'classical swine fever' (CSF) to avoid confusion with other diseases and because 'hog' is a region-specific term.
Yes, modified live vaccines exist and are used in some countries, but nations with eradication programmes often prohibit vaccination to enable easier serological surveillance for the disease.
A highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of pigs, characterised by fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic lesions.
Hog cholera is usually technical/veterinary; occasionally metaphorical in literary or journalistic registers. in register.
Hog cholera: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒɡ ˈkɒlərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɔːɡ ˈkɑːlərə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) devastating as hog cholera (rare, regional)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOG CHOLERA: Remember 'Hog' (pig) + 'Cholera' (a severe diarrhoeal disease). Think: 'A cholera-like disease specifically for hogs.'
Conceptual Metaphor
EPIDEMIC IS A FIRE/PLAGUE (e.g., 'spreading like wildfire', 'a blight on the industry')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the term 'hog cholera' today?