Calling the Hogs

Calling the Hogs is a tradition of University of Arkansas students, alumni, and sports fans. The origin and date of first use are not known.[1] The cheer is the best-known cheer at the University.[2]

The tradition is said to have started in the 1920s when people attempted to encourage a Razorback football team that was losing.[3] The next home game produced a group who repeated the cheer often.[3]

The Hog call is not confined to Razorback Stadium, where it is used before every kickoff, and may be used in locales such as airports and hotels where Razorback fans unite.[2]

Procedure
Madre Hill leads a hog call in Razorback Stadium
Razorbacks fans call the hogs at Bud Walton Arena during a game vs Kentucky.

Fans begin a hog call with a "Woo", which increases in volume and also includes raising the arms with fingers wiggling up and down. Razorback fans have stated that the Woo should last eight seconds.[4] The arms are brought down during the "pig" and the hands are clenched into a fist. "Sooie" is accompanied with a fist pump. After the third call, "Razorbacks" is added with two additional fist pumps.[2]

Lyrics

Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!
Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!
Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!
Razorbacks!

Etymology

The distinctive call is likely a degraded form of Latin, as the Razorback, or wild boar, is a member of the pig family, which in the Linnean classification (Latin) naming system is Suidae. 'Sooie' is a pig calling call in the north east of England, as is 'Giss giss'.

See also

References
  1. "Arkansas Football Traditions." Traditions - University of Arkansas. Retrieved on February 11, 2009.
  2. "A Proper Hog Call." arkansasrazorbacks.com Archived 2011-09-20 at the Wayback Machine 18 July 2008. Retrieved on February 11, 2009.
  3. "Calling the Hogs." Website. Archived 2009-11-17 at the Wayback Machine University of Arkansas Alumni Association. Retrieved on February 11, 2009.
  4. "A Proper Hog Call" Arkansas Razorbacks Official Athletics Website. Retrieved on October 13, 2016.
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