These little pigs, 1884

We Indians like to pride ourselves on our witty put-downs of our endlessly increasing states, but we&rsquod be hard-pressed to match the cheek of the authors of this hilarious map of America. Made in 1884 by an Illinois-based company who were the &lsquosole manufacturers of Hill&rsquos hog ringers, Hill&rsquos triangular rings, calf and cow weaners, stock markers &ampc.&rsquo, this is a nickname map of the US, bringing our attention to the many imaginative insults that floated around the country 130 years ago. Each of the nicknames is accompanied by a representative pig, with the company&rsquos trademark triangles through its nose.

Thus, it&rsquos interesting to see that while some of these nicknames have remained, quite a few have faded away. Did you know, for example, that Nebraska is called &lsquoBug Eater&rsquo&mdashnot something you&rsquod call people in that state now However, New York and its nickname, &lsquoKnickerbockers&rsquo might still have some recall, as might Texas&rsquos culinary nickname, &lsquoBeef head&rsquo.

This map is not the only one of its kind. Just a few years before, in 1875, the same company put out another poster with the entire country in the shape of&mdashyou guessed it&mdasha pig.