pork
/pɔ:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The meat from a pig, especially when used as food: This is the most common meaning, referring to the culinary product.
- Government funds, appointments, or benefits dispensed or legislated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents or to reward supporters: This is a figurative, often critical, term used in political contexts.
Examples
- Noun (Food):
- We had roast pork for dinner.
- Pork chops are her favorite cut of meat.
- Noun (Political):
- The senator was accused of adding pork to the bill to fund a local project.
- Critics argue that the transportation bill is full of pork.
Advanced Usage
- "Pork barrel": (noun) A government project or appropriation that yields benefits to a specific locale and is intended to win political favor.
- The debate centered on cutting pork barrel spending from the federal budget.
- "To bring home the bacon/pork": (idiom) To secure benefits, especially funds, for one's district or constituents.
- The representative's main goal was to bring home the pork for the new community center.
Variants and Related Words
- Porky (adj): Resembling or characteristic of pork; fatty. (Informal) Also used as a nickname.
- The meat was too porky for my taste.
Synonyms
- For meat: Pig meat, swine flesh.
- For political context: Patronage, earmark (specific legislative provision), spoils.
Related Phrases
- Pork-barrel politics: (noun phrase) The use of government funds for projects designed to please voters and gain political advantage.
- The candidate campaigned against pork-barrel politics.
Related Idioms
- "Pork chop": (noun) A slice of pork containing a rib. Figuratively, can refer to a privilege or benefit.
- "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?": (idiom, humorous) A phrase used to highlight a glaring flaw by ironically downplaying it. Sometimes adapted to food contexts, e.g., ""
Noun
- a legislative appropriation designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents
- meat from a domestic hog or pig