Hog at the Trough

In Southern and Appalachian speech, hog at the trough (or "like a hog at the trough") means eating greedily or overindulging - a vivid image rooted in farm life.

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synonyms: pigging out, eating greedily, feeding at the trough

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You know 'hog at the trough' isn't one I can pinpoint hearin' exactly - but this is a common way of talkin' out in the country. We have hogs. And a trough.

Pronunciation

[HAWG at thuh TROFF] /hɔːɡ ət ðə trɔːf/

Meaning & Usage

- To eat greedily; overindulge (saying/simile)

Mabel:

You better get some pie before Bubba gets to it.

Earl:

Too late. He’s already on it like a hog at the trough.

- To take more than one’s share (figurative)

Clint:

They’re all feeding at the public trough.

variations: like a hog at the trough, pig at the trough

★ "Hog at the trough" can describe both literal overeating and figurative greed, especially in politics or business - making it a colorful, versatile expression. ★

Origin

Documented in Southern and rural American newspapers from the late 1800s onward. The phrase draws directly from the farmyard image of hogs crowding a trough to eat. It became a staple metaphor in Southern/Appalachian speech and extended into politics ("feeding at the public trough").

Notes

Hog at the trough - primary form; "like a hog at the trough" is the common simile style.
Variants include "pig at the trough" and "feeding at the trough."
Commonly used at potlucks, cookouts, and humorous descriptions of overeating.
Also widely used figuratively for greed or corruption ("politicians at the public trough").
Still recognized in rural speech but also appears in national commentary, showing its Southern farm origins.

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Common Questions

Does it literally mean a hog?

No - it’s a metaphor comparing a greedy eater (or taker) to a hog crowding a trough.

Is this unique to the South?

The image is rural-American, but it’s especially tied to Southern/Appalachian farm life where hog raising was common.

Is it still used today?

Yes - both in everyday speech ("He was on it like a hog at the trough") and in political commentary ("feeding at the public trough").

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