The undignified tussle over wages has been sourly described by one trade union leader as 'a return to the philosophy of the pig trough.'

I didn't hesitate but dodged quickly behind a stall laden with pig troughs and wire netting.

At the door of a cottage I saw a little girl about to throw a mess of cold porridge into a pig trough.

Then they went to the courtyard, washed two pig troughs that were no longer needed, broke off the seats of two benches for lids.

The man was quicker, though, and he scooped up the trailing imp in one strong arm and promptly dropped him into the pig trough.

Our health care system is too much of a pig trough for insurance companies, for-profit hospitals, and certain types of doctors.

And then, when you see me wave my hand, get that pig trough out of the way and stand clear.

He crept under to remove the pig trough; I saw him come out with it and stand clear.

I made them dump the rest of the porridge in the pig trough.

That means reducing their time at the pig trough, or ponying up some more taxes.