Origin of saying going the whole hog

[mrsjr29]

What is the origin of the saying 'going the whole hog'?

[Tefler]

It started in the 1700s as a reference to hypocrisy. The phrase apparently originated with reference to religions which do not approve of eating pork. Such believers could not accept that God could possibly have meant that there was no part of the animal which they could eat and so tried to work out which particular joint was forbidden. Now, of course, it just means to go all the way or to do something with great thoroughness. (There is no intention here to belittle any religious group.)

[Octavius]

Are you sure its not just a medieval reference to eating the entire hog-roast?

[Quizmonster]

Quite sure. After the mid 18th century reference I offered above, there is no other recorded use of the phrase until well into the 19th century. Accordingly, it is certainly not medi�val. (The above response, by the way, is mine...not Tefler's. She forgot to sign out again and - 'cos AB is always set up in my name - I didn't think to check whether she had or not.)