Popular Culture

Published on Thursday, May 29th, 2025

It’s funny how some quotes from books or movies enter popular culture, with some even becoming common phrases.

Recently, Dick’s son Giles’ wife Clare came across this brand of yarn (pictured) that uses the iconic phrase “baa-ram-ewe” from Dick’s 1983 story The Sheep-Pig, which was later used in the movie Babe, the blockbuster film based on the book.

Baa-ram-ewe means “to your breed, your fleece, your clan be true. Sheep be true!” It’s the secret password that the sheep use to identify themselves and each other. The quote is uttered by Babe in the book and movie, and this insider knowledge allows him to gain the cooperation of the sheep, so that they allow themselves to be herded by him.

Another phrase from The Sheep-Pig and Babe that has become quite commonly used is ‘that’ll do pig’. This is a quote from Farmer Hoggett, who thanks Babe for winning the sheep-dog trials in his own understated way.

I have it on good authority that many people still use this phrase to jokingly congratulate their sister / brother / significant-other on a job well done.

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