Meaning & Analysis
Derived from the futile act of shearing a pig, the proverb literally describes a situation that produces a lot of noise and protest (the pig's squealing) but yields almost no valuable result (wool).
Insights
Disproportionate Effort to Result
The proverb critiques any situation where the effort, fanfare, or commotion is vastly disproportionate to the meager or disappointing outcome. It highlights a fundamental imbalance between input and output.
Promise vs. Performance
It serves as a metaphor for inflated promises or boasts that are not matched by actual performance. The 'great cry' represents the grand claims, while the 'little wool' signifies the underwhelming reality.
Superficiality over Substance
The saying warns against being deceived by surface-level activity that lacks underlying value or substance. It draws a sharp distinction between noisy, empty gestures and quiet, meaningful productivity.
Inherently Futile Endeavors
At its core, the proverb illustrates the folly of pursuing a fundamentally misguided or pointless goal. Like shearing a pig for wool, some endeavors are doomed from the start, and no amount of effort can change that.
Absurdist Agricultural Imagery
The proverb's power stems from its absurd and rustic imagery of shearing a hog, an act promising immense struggle for virtually no reward. This comical scene, referenced in multiple early quotations, creates a memorable and universally understood metaphor for futile endeavors. The occasional attribution of the act to the Devil adds a layer of malicious folly.
Psychology of Disappointment
This proverb serves as a timeless critique of situations where performative action overshadows tangible results. It taps into a deep-seated cynicism about grand promises and loud pronouncements that fail to deliver, making it a powerful tool for puncturing inflated claims and managing expectations.
Substance vs. Superficiality
The proverb's structure, contrasting effort (cry) with outcome (wool), resonates with similar sayings like 'Much bran and little meal'. This reflects a recurring cultural need to distinguish between superficial activity and genuine substance, warning against being misled by noise and commotion.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
The proverb is built on a sharp contrast between 'Great' and 'little', and the conceptual opposition of 'CRY' (empty noise) and 'wool' (valuable substance), making its point with memorable force.
Absurdist Imagery
The comical and visceral image of shearing a squealing pig creates a powerful and lasting mental picture that perfectly encapsulates the proverb's meaning of useless labor.
Situational Irony
The irony lies in the expectation of a productive outcome (like shearing a sheep) being applied to a situation where it is impossible, highlighting the foolishness of the endeavor.
Transcription
Quotations
And so his hyghnes shall haue therof, but as hadd the man that sherid is hogge, muche crye and litil woll.
As one said at the shearing of hogs, great cry and little wool, much adoe and smal help.
You would say . . as that wise man sheering his hogges: Here is a great deale of cry, but a little wooll.
(Much cry).
Here's a great deale of Cry and little wooll, quoth the fellow when he shore his hogs.
A great cry and little wooll, quoth the Devil when he sheard the hogg.
(Much cry).
Great Cry, and a little Wool, when the Hog was shear'd.
(A great cry).
Here's a great cry and but a little wool, (as the fellow said, when he shear'd his hogs).
A great Cry and little Wool quoth the Deel when he clip'd the Swine.
*Spoken of great Pretences and small Performances.
(A great Cry).
Cross References
- See Sr., no. 662.
- B604 Much bran and little meal.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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