General
lipstick on a pig
What does lipstick on a pig mean?
A cosmetic improvement that doesn't fix the underlying problem.
"A new homepage is lipstick on a pig if the product is broken."
Origin
American idiom popularised in politics and business in the 2000s.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'lipstick on a pig' mean?
It describes a surface-level or cosmetic fix that dresses something up without addressing its real, deeper flaws.
How is it used?
To criticise superficial improvements, e.g. 'Rebranding won't help, it's just lipstick on a pig.'
Where does it come from?
It's an American folk idiom that became widely used in politics and business in the 2000s.
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