Pigman

Pigman is a term used to describe humanoid pig-like creatures that appear in various forms of fiction and popular culture. Its meaning varies by context, ranging from a literary character's nickname to fantastical beings in games and fantasy settings.

In literature, The Pigman is a 1968 novel by Paul Zindel. The title refers to Angelo Pignati, an elderly bachelor whose nickname is 'the Pigman' given by two teenagers who befriend him. The story follows their friendship and its consequences, addressing issues such as responsibility, loneliness, and moral accountability.

In games and media, pigman-type creatures appear in several settings. In Minecraft, the Nether hosts pig-like mobs historically known as the Zombie Pigman; they are neutral until attacked and often travel in groups. In later updates the creature was renamed to Zombie Piglin, with the broader piglin family introducing new behaviors and trading interactions.

Other uses include occasional references to pig-like humanoid characters in fantasy literature and role-playing games, typically depicted as anthropomorphic pigs with varying temperaments and roles, from allies to adversaries.

There is no single canonical definition of pigman, and the term's precise meaning depends on context, genre, and the creator's intent.