swine flu

[ swahyn floo ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a form of influenza that afflicts pigs.
2. a form of influenza that afflicts humans by infection with a virus once thought to be very similar to the influenza virus found in North American pigs.

swine flu

/ swīn /

1. A highly contagious form of influenza seen in swine, caused by a virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. The infection is communicable to humans and caused a worldwide epidemic in 1918.

Word History and Origins

Origin of swine flu¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Gerald Ford and the swine flu pandemic that never happened in 1976 is a cautionary tale that government action can backfire.

From The Daily Beast

A few years ago, this Joe Biden warned people not to ride on aircraft or subways out of fear of contracting “swine flu.”

From The Daily Beast

Yet the Obama who hysterically declared Hurricane Irene “historic” also declared the swine flu a national emergency.

From The Daily Beast

Gone were free pillows and blankets (those actually were cut out when the swine flu epidemic hit).

From The Daily Beast

This is a worrisome phenomenon, especially as major health threats like avian and swine flu grow in importance.

From The Daily Beast