or tantony pig, subs. phr. (old).—1. The smallest pig in a litter: hence a favorite. TO FOLLOW LIKE A TANTONY PIG = to follow closely. Hence TANTONY (2) = a servile follower; a petted retainer; TANTONY-POUCH (see quot. 1892).
1594. J. LYLY, Mother Bombie, ii. 1. At the dudgen dagger, by which hangs his TANTONIE POUCH.
1598. J. STOW, Survey of London (1633), 190. The Officers … of the Markets [London] … did take from the Market people Pigs starved, or otherwise unwholesome for Man’s sustenance. One of the Proctors for St Anthonies tyed a Bell about the neck, and let it feed on the Dunghills; no man would hurt or take it up; but it anyone gave to them bread, or other feeding, such would they know, watch for and daily follow…. Whereupon was raised a Proverbe, Such an one will FOLLOW such an one, and whine AS IT WERE AN ANTHONIE PIG.
1659. GAUDEN, The Tears of the Church, 595. Some are such COSSETS and TANTANIES, that they congratulate their oppressors, and flatter their destroyers.
1700. CONGREVE, The Way of the World, iv. 11. I’ll follow thee, my Anthony, my TANTONY. Sirrah, thou shalt be my TANTONY, and I’ll be thy PIG.
1710. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, i. Lord! she made me follow her last week through all the shops LIKE A TANTONY PIG.
1753. Chambers’ Cyclopædia, Suppt., s.v. ANTHONY. In several places, they [Romanists] keep at common charges a hog denominated ST ANTHONY’S HOG.
1867. Standard, 24 May. ‘What is an ANTHONY?’ ‘The littlest pig, your honour. The little pig is always “ANTHONY.”’
1892. FAIRHOLT [LILLY, Works, ii. 272. Note]. TANTONY-POUCH—I imagine the allusion is to a pouch or purse … having a cross … on the reverse … known as St Anthony was by his cross. This familiar mode of using the saint’s name is preserved in the saying, ‘He follows him like a TANTONIE PIG,’ the saint always being pictured with one of these animals.
2. See SAINT.
