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The phrase "sweating like a pig" actually has nothing to do with the animal that you might find on a farm. Instead, it refers to iron "sows" and "piglets" made when smelting pig iron. In traditional iron smelting, liquid iron is poured into a mold shaped like one long line with many smaller lines branching off of it at right angles. This looks similar to piglets feeding from their mother, so these pieces became known as pigs. After the pigs are poured into the sand, they cool, causing the surrounding air to reach its dew point and turn into moisture on the pigs, like they are sweating. When the pig is sweating, it's cool enough to be moved.

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Q: Where did the phrase sweat like a pig come from?
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Why is Sweating like a pig not an accurate phrase?

Pigs do not sweat. They dont have functional sweat glands.


Where did the phrase like a guinea pig come from?

if you mean you'll be my guinea pig it means to use them as a test subject like for something never tested before or something dangerous


Where did the phrase 'happy as a pig in a poke' come from?

It did not come from anywhere, the phrase should be 'Happy as a pig in muck/mud'. This creates an image of a pig rooting through a muddy field looking for roots/grubs in the ground which is their natural way of feeding.


What is the verb for the phrase to eat like an animal?

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What is the origin of sweating like a pig?

Well i don't know where it originated, but i guess when people think of pigs they think they are dirty, sloppy, and gross. So sweat is gross so i guess they think that when they are sweating they think that a pig would be dirty like that too, so they would use that phrase!


Why do people say they sweat like a dog when dog's don't sweat?

Sweating like a Pig" to denote sweating profusely. This sounds illogical, as pigs have ineffective sweat glands, but the term is allegedly derived from the iron smelting process. After pouring into runners in sand, it is allowed to cool and is seen as resembling a sow and piglets, hence "pig iron". As the pigs cool, the surrounding air reaches its dew point, and beads of moisture form on the surface of the pigs. "Sweating like a pig" indicates that the pig has cooled enough to be moved in safety.


Does BHT come from a pig?

sorta kinda. It is synthesized from 2 organic chemicals. P-cresol (from sweat) and Isobutylene. (from gasoline)


What are facts about swine?

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Does a goose sweat?

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Who says that pig is solid as they come in Charlotte's Web?

The character Homer Zuckerman says the phrase "That pig is as solid as they come" in the book "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. He is referring to the protagonist pig, Wilbur.


What does sweat like a pig mean and why?

The phrase "Sweating like a Pig" means sweating profusely. This sounds illogical, as pigs (the animal) have ineffective sweat glands, but the term is derived from the iron smelting process. After pouring into runners in sand, it is allowed to cool and is seen as resembling a sow and piglets, hence "pig iron". As the pigs cool, the surrounding air reaches its dew point, and beads of moisture form on the surface of the pigs. "Sweating like a pig" indicates that the pig has cooled enough to be moved in safety. it just means that when a pig is hot it rolls in mud.


What is the epidermis of a fetal pig like?

The epidermis of a fetal pig contains sweat glands, oils and dead skin. The epidermis does not retain water also and so the skin appears dry.