How are pigs, hogs and swine different?

author

A hog is a domestic pig, according to this source. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hog Whereas swine is a collective noun which includes all pigs, according to this source. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine Mar 21 10, 3:56 PM

Zbeckabee

American Pigs or "hogs" are domesticated members of the swine family. In the United States, young hogs not ready for market are termed "swine." The British refer to all members of the Suidae family as swine. Theoretically, there is little difference between wild pigs, boars and domestic members in the family. http://www.essortment.com/all/pigswinehog_rufe.htm Mar 21 10, 8:16 PM

Baloo55th

The British tend to reserve 'swine' mainly for humans (impolite usage...), but also for the Gaddarene Swine, and old-fashioned words like swineherd (not that anyone is a swineherd nowadays). Things in a sty (or free range, even) are pigs, while wild ones (as in the Forest of Dean) are wild boar, even if they're sows! Hogs usually only occur in road-hog, wart-hog and hogging something. And Harleys... Mar 22 10, 2:27 PM