Origin

• The expression’ hog wild’ has its roots in the late 19th century in the United States, a time when rural communities were a common sight of hogs running loose and uncontrollable.
• It likely comes from the image of hogs (pigs) running loose and uncontrollable, which would have been a familiar sight in rural America at the time.
• The earliest recorded use dates back to the 1890s, and the term gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Why “hog”?

The choice of ‘hog’ in ‘hog wild’ is not arbitrary. Hogs were associated with greed, messiness, and lack of restraint, making the metaphor a perfect fit for someone acting wildly or without limits.

Here’s a historical timeline for the phrase “hog wild”:

Late 1800s (c. 1890s)

• The phrase “hog wild” first appears in American English.
• It likely originated in rural U.S. communities where hogs running loose were a common sight, symbolizing chaos and lack of control.

Early 1900s

• The idiom becomes more widely used in colloquial speech.
• Often associated with reckless enthusiasm or overindulgence, especially in farming and rural contexts.

1920s

• Gains popularity during the Roaring Twenties, a period known for excess and breaking social norms.
• Appears in newspapers and magazines describing people going “hog wild” at parties or during economic booms.

1940s–1950s

• The phrase enters mainstream American slang.
• Used in advertising and entertainment to convey excitement and fun (e.g., “Go hog wild with our new deals!”).

1970s

• References to the country and Southern culture keep the phrase alive.
• Appears in music and pop culture, reinforcing its association with uninhibited fun.

Today

• Still widely used in informal speech.
• Common in marketing, sports commentary, and casual conversation to describe enthusiastic or excessive behavior.