The Real Housewives of Rhode Island Enters the Lexicon

When Bravo first announced that the next series in its flagship franchise was The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, it was a little confusing. While other seasons found their leading ladies in busy American locations like New Jersey, Beverly Hills, Salt Lake City, or Atlanta, Rhode Island seemed quiet. But those Rhode Islanders have spent all season proving themselves, and Sunday night, they arrived at their crowning achievement. Yes, it is time to herald the latest Housewives linguist, Rosie DiMare, who has officially brought the beautiful term “slam pig” into our lives.

Rosie used the insult against fellow Housewife Kelsey Swanson, who she’s had simmering tensions with all season. Rosie gossiped about Kelsey’s previous open relationship, and Kelsey said Rosie is lying about the square footage of her house. “Talk to me when you have a house!” Rosie shouts at Kelsey in the most recent episode. “Talk to me when you have a husband! Talk to me when you have a fucking career!” The fight ends with producers separating the two as Rosie screams: “Everybody in Rhode Island knows you fuck married men! Every single person. You’re a fucking slam pig! Don’t ever come for me again. You’re a slam pig!” 

Wait … what? Yes, Rosie uses the term “slam pig” twice in a row, which is certainly a mean combination of words but perhaps not a familiar one for non-New Englanders. On Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Rosie helpfully provided context. “A slam pig is a New England term for someone you really don’t like,” she said. “If you look on Urban Dictionary, it basically describes her. It’s pretty accurate.” On Urban Dictionary, the top definition is “a girl who is about average looking that likes to have random sexual encounters with many guys when she gets drunk. She loves to hook up, give blowjobs, and essentially get railed.” On the aftershow, cast member Alicia Carmody gave a more concise definition: “Sally the Slam Pig is a whore,” she said, pronouncing “whore” in her Rhode Island accent as “whoo-ah.”

No matter the definition, what is important is that Housewives fans across the nation have been introduced to a piece of New England culture they can now use in their daily lives. Just like RHONJ introduced the world to Italian women saying “prostitution whore” and RHOA popularized the idea of white refrigerators being disgusting, RHORI has a moment to pin its cultural influence on.