long pig: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Historical / LiteraryHistorical / Literary / Macabre
Quick answer
What does “long pig” mean?
A grim historical and/or macabre euphemism for human flesh used as food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A grim historical and/or macabre euphemism for human flesh used as food.
In historical accounts, particularly of Pacific Islander cannibalism, "long pig" served as a cynical euphemism describing human meat, suggesting its similarity to pork.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term originates from historical reports of Pacific practices and is used identically in both BrE and AmE literature.
Connotations
Identical connotations of historical/macabre euphemism in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, appearing almost solely in historical texts, specific literature, or discussions of cannibalism.
Grammar
How to Use “long pig” in a Sentence
[Subject] ate/referred to [victim] as long pig.The term 'long pig' was used for...[Victim] became long pig.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “long pig” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were said to have long-pigged their enemies. (extremely rare, possible in creative writing)
American English
- The survivors feared they might be long-pigged by the tribe. (extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- The long-pig feast was a grim ceremony. (attributive use, rare)
American English
- He told a long-pig story from the frontier days. (attributive use, rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or literary studies discussing cannibalism.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation, except as a historical/morbid reference.
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long pig”
- Using it in a non-cannibalistic context.
- Confusing it with a literal type of pig breed.
- Using it in casual conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is exclusively a euphemistic term for human flesh used as food, originating from historical reports.
No. It is an archaic, highly specific, and macabre term. Using it casually would be bizarre and disturbing.
It is believed to originate from European explorers' and missionaries' accounts of cannibalism in the Pacific Islands, who reported it as a local euphemism.
No. Its sole meaning relates to the cannibalistic consumption of human flesh.
A grim historical and/or macabre euphemism for human flesh used as food.
Long pig is usually historical / literary / macabre in register.
Long pig: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈpɪɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈpɪɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] on the long pig menu (humorous/macabre extension - meaning to be in danger of being cannibalised)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'long' human body being roasted like a 'pig' on a spit.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN BEINGS ARE LIVESTOCK (for consumption).
Practice
Quiz
In what context would you most likely encounter the term 'long pig'?