go the whole hog
go the whole hog (idiom)
/ɡəʊ ðə hoʊl hɑɡ/
Meanings
- To do something completely without holding back.
- To commit fully to an action, plan, or decision.
- To go to the greatest possible extent.
Synonyms: go all out; leave no stone unturned; pull out all the stops; go the distance; spare no effort.
Example Sentences
- She decided to go the whole hog and renovated the entire house instead of just the kitchen.
- If you’re starting a business, you might as well go the whole hog and invest properly.
- When he prepares for a party, he always goes the whole hog with decorations, music, and food.
Origin and History
The phrase “go the whole hog” is a colloquial expression meaning to pursue or commit to something completely and without reservation, often implying extravagance or thoroughness. It has been a staple of English vernacular since the early nineteenth century, particularly in informal and political discourse. Its imagery evokes the idea of consuming or utilizing an entire hog rather than partial elements, symbolizing unyielding dedication. Over time, the idiom has transcended its origins to appear in various contexts, from everyday decision-making to emphatic advocacy.
Etymological Theories
Several theories explain the etymology of “go the whole hog,” though none has achieved universal consensus.
One prominent hypothesis links it to butchery practices in early America, where purchasing an entire hog from a butcher offered a discount compared to buying select cuts. This economic incentive encouraged buyers to “go the whole hog,” committing fully to the animal rather than opting for less.
Another interpretation draws from agricultural customs in Virginia, where farmers marked hogs by notching their ears to denote ownership; “going the whole hog” might refer to forgoing any marking altogether, signifying complete acceptance or uncompromised action.
A third theory traces the phrase to a satirical poem by English writer William Cowper, titled The Love of the World Reproved; or, Hypocrisy Detected (1773), which humorously depicts Muslim scholars debating which part of a hog is forbidden by Islamic law, ultimately rationalizing the consumption of the entire animal to avoid prohibition on specific portions.
These explanations highlight the phrase’s roots in practicality, politics, and literary wit, with the hog serving as a metaphor for totality.
Historical Development
The history of “go the whole hog” reflects its emergence during a period of robust American political rhetoric in the early nineteenth century. The phrase gained traction amid the contentious 1828 presidential election, where supporters of Andrew Jackson—known as Jacksonites—adopted it to describe unwavering loyalty to their candidate. Campaign slogans like “Jackson Forever: Go the Whole Hog” underscored the era’s partisan fervor, contrasting with more moderate positions.
By the 1830s, the expression had crossed the Atlantic to Britain, though it retained its American flavor, as “hog” was less common there than “pig.” Its evolution from niche slang to widespread idiom illustrates how language often borrows from cultural and economic contexts, embedding itself in broader English usage by the mid-nineteenth century.
Country of Origin
The idiom “go the whole hog” originated in the United States, specifically within North American English. Emerging in the context of early republican politics and frontier life, it first appeared in print in American newspapers, reflecting the nation’s developing vernacular distinct from British English. Its spread to other English-speaking countries occurred later in the century. This American genesis aligns with the period’s emphasis on individualism and bold commitment, themes resonant in the young republic’s identity.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest documented printed use of “go the whole hog” appears in the Commercial Advertiser, a New York newspaper, on December 28, 1827. Although the precise quotation from this issue remains elusive in accessible archives, it marks the phrase’s initial appearance in verifiable print, predating its broader political adoption.
Subsequent early instances include a January 1828 reference in the Middlesex Gazette:
“Mr. Barbour, you know, was formerly the Speaker, but not being willing ‘to go the whole hog,’ as the Jacksonites have it, they would not permit him again to be elevated to that high station.”
This quotation illustrates the phrase’s immediate association with political intransigence.
Attributions to a letter by Daniel Webster circa 1824–1828, describing Andrew Jackson’s potential full commitment to party lines, appear in secondary sources like Christine Ammer’s The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (2013), though the exact text and date of the letter are not corroborated in primary records. These early records affirm the phrase’s rapid integration into American discourse.
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