pig-out

Pig out is a verb phrase that means to eat a large or excessive amount of food in a sitting or over a short period of time, as in I am really looking forward to pigging out on Thanksgiving. 

Sometimes, pig out is followed by the word on and the food that is being eaten in large quantities, as in He got a stomachache after he pigged out on candy. The phrase is especially associated with the consumption of junk food. You could pig out on any kind of food, but the phrase is more likely to be used if the food is considered particularly unhealthy.

Pig out likens a person’s eating to that of pigs, which are known for being ravenous eaters. Usually, saying that someone eats like a pig is very rude and can be offensive. However, pig out is often used playfully and in the context of one’s own eating, perhaps to be self-deprecating. Still, saying that someone else is pigging out can be seen as negative.

The noun pig-out refers to an instance of eating in this way, as in Thanksgiving is going to be a real pig-out. 

Example: My grandfather made a huge spread for the big game and encouraged all of us to pig out.

The first records of pig out come from the 1970s. It is a slang phrase that draws on the popular image of pigs as gluttonous eaters. The word out is used in a similar way in other slang phrases that involve doing something to the extreme or without inhibition, such as flip out, freak out, and geek out.

People commonly use pig out when they plan to or have eaten a big meal or what they consider to be an excessive amount of food. Pig out is sometimes used in the context of a cheat day or a time when a person is treating themself.

What are some other forms related to pig out?

• pig-out (noun)

What are some synonyms for pig out?

• gorge
• binge
• overeat

What are some words that share a root or word element with pig out? 

• pig
• out

What are some words that often get used in discussing pig out?

• food
• junk food
• excess
• eating
• overindulge
• gluttonous
• feast

Pig out is commonly used in a playful or humorous way. It can be seen as negative, but it is not commonly intended to be.

I just want to go to a buffet and pig out.

— Santa (@ktsuggss) November 15, 2020

About to pig out on some bbq wings at the tap room and I couldn’t be any happier about it 🐷

— 🦋rachelle🦋 (@rachelle_janae) November 15, 2020

Made a trifle this morning, can’t wait till after dinner to pig out. pic.twitter.com/bSiiaCT3Qj

— John Peacock 🔭🪐🇮🇹🎣🚣‍♂️ (@Oztronomer) December 12, 2020

Is pig out used correctly in the following sentence?

My sister yelled at me after I pigged out on the cookies and didn’t leave any for her.