But if pigs can’t sweat, why do we have the expression “sweat like a pig?” The term is actually derived from the iron smelting process in which hot iron poured on sand cools and solidifies with the pieces resembling a sow and piglets. Hence "pig iron". As the iron cools, the surrounding air reaches its dew point, and beads of moisture form on the surface of the "pigs". "Sweating like a pig" indicates that the "pig" (ie iron) has cooled enough to be safely handled. And that's a "pig" you wouldn't want to eat.
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/sweating-pig#:~:text=But%20if%20pigs%20can't,Hence%20%22pig %20iron%22.&text=And%20that's%20a%20%22pig%22%20yo u,wouldn't%20want%20to%20eat.
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