Lipstick on a Pig
They say it like it's a bad thing
Today we will consider words. Words are the building blocks of language. People use words for all kinds of reasons. People use words to convey ideas and emotions, to connect to other human beings, and to navigate, shape, and understand the world. It’s like I always meant to say: Words is good, man.
I suppose words is mostly good. Some words unite, others divide. Some words lift the spirit while other words deflate the thing. While we cannot address all words that seek such a vile goal, today we call out one group of words - a phrase, if you will - that serves only to spread hate.
“You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.”
In an abundance of clarity, this statement states there is nothing you can add to a pig to make her anything other than a pig. The pig is a pig, Pigs are unpleasant, undesirable, and even loathsome. Lipstick changes nothing.
When they say “it’s like putting lipstick on a pig,” they say it like it’s a bad thing.
These words slander, demean, and underestimate the pig. By saying “it’s like putting lipstick on a pig,” the speaker implies that the pig, even with lipstick, remains inherently flawed, odious, and unworthy of admiration. This kind of cavalier ignorance not only insults a pig’s potential for beauty but also pays no heed to the charm that lipstick can bring.
These words don’t just malign the pig; these words demean all of us.
I will concede a pig in a vacuum is not a true, classic beauty. Rarely will you find a real looker of pig – au naturel. But if you put lipstick on a pig… that’s a different story. Lipstick changes things. Lipstick complements skin tone, adding color, definition, and shape. A glossy lipstick adds shine and a youthful glow while a matte lipstick gives a polished, sophisticated vibe. Lipstick elevates every day into an occasion. These small cosmetic improvements have an even bigger impact. Lipstick boosts confidence, helps express personality, and is a robust symbol of femininity and power.
In other words: Lipstick is good, man.
In short, if you put lipstick on a pig, this is not “still just a pig.” This pig wearing lipstick is now going places. Although, before they go places, you might want to put a touch more additional makeup to compliment her features. Maybe you want to add a natural foundation or tinted moisturizer. Depending on her personality, you may want to give your pig a soft blush, defined brows, and a neutral eyeshadow. All of a sudden, this pig is the whole package, a catch, a force!
How can one know for sure that putting lipstick on a pig truly transforms a pig into a different figure altogether? Exhibit A: Miss Piggy.
Miss Piggy does not suffer fools lightly - or otherwise. Miss Piggy is a that perfect combination of no-nonsense powerhouse and feminine mystique. Miss Piggy is strength and grace. Miss Piggy is confident, glamourous, fashion-forward, romantic, determined, ambitious, occasionally temperamental, and persistent. Miss Piggy does it all and she does it all in lipstick.
Imagine a large boardroom, the long table filled with suits, at the head of the table sits Miss Piggy. You plead: “But Miss Piggy, that idea is like putting lipstick on a pig.” She considers for a moment before concurring: “Yes. Yes, that idea exactly like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s perfect! Let’s move on this now, people! Now!!”
Do you really want to try to explain to Miss Piggy that putting lipstick on a pig is actually a bad thing? Do you really want to try to explain to Miss Piggy why putting lipstick on a pig is a bad thing? Before you proceed, let me remind you that words matter. Words can unite or divide. You would do well to choose your words wisely. Also, Miss Piggy is also a martial arts expert – in lipstick. Proceed with caution.