pigskin, sheepskin and academic

[Baker, John]

        A "pigskin" is an American football, while a "sheepskin" is a diploma, traditionally made from parchment (though modern diplomas generally are made of paper).

John Baker


-----Original Message-----
From: Prof. R. Sussex [mailto:r.sussex at MAILBOX.UQ.EDU.AU]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 7:52 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: pigskin, sheepskin and academic


Can someone please explain the use of "pigskin" and "sheepskin"
("cow's skin"?) in relation to scholarships and academia in the US?
Does "pigskin" refer to students on sports scholarships? There is a
reference at
http://www.missouri.edu/~hdfswww/Graduate_Program/Graduate_Handbook/Honors___Awards/honors___awards.html

Roly Sussex