Interesting, sionnach. My first thought was that the word derived from the same root as that of peccadillo--sinful, sinning, etc. I figured that made sense, thinking of the Biblical driving of evil spirits into pigs. But it turns out the roots aren't related at all--at least not as near as I can figure.
Even-toed ungulate, a kind of sinful pig. An individual peccary will confront a predator, risking its own life, to allow the rest of the group to escape. (a scape-pig, perhaps?)
I figured as much--but I couldn't resist checking. ;-)
naw, I'm pretty sure the sin connection is entirely spurious. I was just joshin' (gadarene swine notwithstanding).
Interesting, sionnach. My first thought was that the word derived from the same root as that of peccadillo--sinful, sinning, etc. I figured that made sense, thinking of the Biblical driving of evil spirits into pigs. But it turns out the roots aren't related at all--at least not as near as I can figure.
Even-toed ungulate, a kind of sinful pig. An individual peccary will confront a predator, risking its own life, to allow the rest of the group to escape. (a scape-pig, perhaps?)