pig

Where does the word "pig" come from? It comes from Old English picga, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Pig’s story begins in Old English: picga meant “young pig.” Recorded only in the compound 'picbrēd', pig-bread, meaning acorns; the usual word was 'swīn'; its origin is unknown. By 1100s-1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as pigge. Meant a young pig. It reached English by 1500s as pig. Spread from 'young pig' to the animal of any age. Today, pig means a domesticated animal kept for its meat.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s picga "young pig", recorded only in the compound 'picbrēd', pig-bread, meaning acorns; the usual word was 'swīn'; its origin is unknown.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s-1400s pigge "young pig", meant a young pig.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s pig "pig", spread from 'young pig' to the animal of any age.