- Meaning
- This idiom means to do something thoroughly or completely, without holding back, as if consuming an entire hog rather than just part. It conveys all-out commitment or extravagance, often used in personal, professional, or recreational contexts to describe full effort. The phrase carries a tone of enthusiasm, excess, or decisiveness, reflecting cultural values of thoroughness and the human tendency to go all-in. Its culinary imagery evokes a hearty feast, resonating in scenarios like projects or celebrations. The idiom celebrates completeness, making it a robust metaphor for unrestrained action.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 18th-century America, possibly tied to butchers selling whole hogs or rural feasts, as noted in colonial diaries. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The New York Times* (1820s), describing lavish spending. The idiom gained traction in the 19th century, amplified by Mark Twain’s *Huckleberry Finn* (1884) for reckless excess. Its spread was boosted by 20th-century media, especially in the U.S., for its vivid imagery and applicability to full commitment, with some use in the U.K. and Australia.
- Variants
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- Whole hog
- Go whole hog
- Going the whole hog
- Examples
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- They went the whole hog, throwing a massive wedding with all the trimmings.
- Whole hog, he renovated the entire house in one go.
- Going the whole hog, she invested everything in the new venture.
- Go whole hog, they did, splurging on a luxury vacation.
- Let’s go the whole hog and make this event unforgettable.
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