Are people such experts of animal behavior that the word ?pig-headed? has been coined? Are people so familiar with how a pig thinks, learns, and understands that pigs? heads and mindset have become easy to compare to that of humans?? Because the meaning of the word is derogatory, it makes you wonder who should have the right to feel insulted: animals or humans. Humans who are described as pigheaded must have done something to deserve the meaning behind the word. Whether they deserve the word or not, some still get hurt. Why is that? Looking at a completely different view, does the source of the word itself support what the word means?



A close look at pigs

Pigs have been badmouthed in metaphors and words such as pig-headed. People with gross appetites, for food or sex, are referred to as pigs. Pigs are fat because that is their natural state. They became fat not because of unhealthy eating, unlike humans. Pigs are just generally described as thick. People who are rearing them, selling them, or buying them make sure that they have a healthy weight.

Unlike humans who are considered ?pigs? in terms of sexual behavior, male and female pigs only mate during a certain season. In terms of being dirty, domesticated pigs only get to such a state if their owners do not clean up after them. Maybe wild hogs are more appropriate? The more you look at pigs and compare them to humans, the more you wonder about the negative connotations attached to the word pigheaded.

Meanings of the word ?pigheaded?

Pigheaded means bullheaded, stubborn, unyielding, and headstrong. These other words mean the same thing: going way beyond firm. For example, when a person is being persuaded by other people and he or she goes beyond just saying no but says ?no? even when he or she has realized the truth behind what the other people are saying, he or she is being pigheaded. Pigheaded is actually a stronger word for stubborn. Pigs are, however, smart animals and can be trained by their owners. Pigheaded people cannot be convinced to do anything. So how come such people are compared to pigs?

Pigheaded also means inflexible. This is just a different way of looking at extremely stubborn people. Inflexibility suggests that they are refusing because they are used to doing the same old thing all the time.

Pigheaded also means dense. This is an attack on the intelligence of the person in question. Maybe he or she does not agree or refuses to believe because he or she cannot understand the whole point.

In the end, the various definitions of pigheaded truly describe extremely stubborn people. However, they do not bring back the meanings to the source of the word: pigs. Pigs seem farther apart from the word ?pigheaded? as the meanings and the pigs? actual behavior are dissected and compared.

Pigs' behavior and human behavior

When you say a certain person is pigheaded and that person is indeed incredibly stubborn, you soon get the point. It is not because pigs are stubborn creatures. In fact, pigs eat anything served to them. They are fattened up, slaughtered, and then eaten. They seem better compared to stubborn people. Still, the word pigheaded has already stuck in the human psyche. People also easily accepted the negative connotations surrounding pigs. ?Pig? became almost like a foul word. Humans, who generally feel like the smartest creatures in this world, feel that being compared to any animal is derogatory. It does not occur to them that maybe pigs would have complained if they know what is continually being said about them.