Pigs Dubh is Gaelic for Black ("dubh") dagger ("sgian"), as invariably the handle was carved from back bog oak, and perhaps more subtly, the word "black" implies "secret" or "covert" as in "blackmail" or "blackmarket".Normally this weapon of last resort was concealed, only to be exhibited in the presence of a host out of courtesy, usually in the sock where it would be seen.