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Why do we say piggyback?

Sean gets an explanation of the word "piggyback" that is as clear as mud.

"We've been saying "piggy back" for generations..." Sean asks, "but where did we get the saying from?"
"Piggy back," explains Ken the ex country boy, "comes from having to straddle the pigs while taking them off to be slaughtered..."
"What?" Sean asks.
"I'll tell you later," Janet explains, "This is a family show."
"Hey Coyle!" (adds Raymond in Scarva) "Speaking of pigs, a friend of mine would describe himself as that bow-legged he couldn't stop a pig in an entry."
Hugh in Bangor offers a full explanation. "It started off in the sixteenth century," says Hugh, "as 'pick pack'... that meant carrying something on the back or shoulders..."
"Right... " says Sean doubtfully...
"Pick is a mediaeval version of 'pitch' so it meant a mediaeval version of a load that was pitched on a person's back..."
"This is very very clear," says Sean.
"A little later pick-pack meant to get a lift on someone's shoulders."
"Yes," says Sean... "that's clear... as mud."
With music from The Tremeloes, Joe Dolan, The Righteous Brothers, Elvis Presley, The Kentucky Headhunters and many more.

56 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Apr 2021 15:04

Music Played

  • The Tremeloes

    Number One

  • The Beach Boys

    I Can Hear Music

  • The Righteous Brothers

    Island In The Sun

  • The Kentucky Headhunters

    Singing The Blues

  • Fats Domino

    Country Boy

  • Sailor

    Girls Girls Girls

  • UB40

    I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

  • Joe Dolan

    The Answer To Everything

  • Stevie Wonder

    Isn't She Lovely

  • The Undertones

    Teenage Kicks

  • John Denver

    Country roads

Broadcast

  • Mon 12 Apr 2021 15:04