Where did the term pig come from in reference to police?

Answer by  AnnWalkerKennedy (175)

In the early 1800's in the English Bowery section, the police were sometimes called "pigs." The word "pig" has been used to describe an unclean or undesirable person. In the 1960's in the United States, during war protests and riots, protesters began using the epithet, "pig" for the police.

Answer by  jlwilson6 (1098)

Calling police officers "pigs" came about during the 1960's. It was during the Vietnam War. The protesters in the War started this trend of calling them pigs just because of pigs being dirty and selfish animals. The term stuck around after that and has been used ever since and even today.

Answer by  bondgirl42 (27)

Contrary to popular belief that the term "pig" for police has its origins in the 1960's, the term was noted in 1811 relating to the Bow Street Runners--early policemen.

Answer by  dcrusher59 (590)

Pig is a sland term used to decribe a law enforcement officer. it orginated in the north east when most people said officers smelled like bacon.