pig
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A police officer. A China street pig; a Bow-street officer. Floor the pig and bolt; knock down the officer and run away.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “pig” mean?
A police officer. A China street pig; a Bow-street officer. Floor the pig and bolt; knock down the officer and run away.
Is “pig” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.