Dog-eat-dog world

[1080] Guinea pig

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A person or thing used as the subject of an experiment, test, trial, or new procedure.
  • Often implies that the thing being tested is unproven or carries some risk.

Origin

  • Actual guinea pigs (the rodent species Cavia porcellus) have historically been common laboratory animals used for scientific experiments and testing.
  • The term was transferred metaphorically to humans undergoing testing or being the first to try something new and potentially risky, starting around the early 20th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Test subject
  • Experimental subject
  • Trial participant
  • Beta tester
  • Pilot user
  • Early adopter (often more willing/enthusiastic)
  • Lab rat (informal, similar connotation)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Lab rat
  • Crash test dummy (esp. if risk is involved)
  • Tester
  • Beta tester

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • The poor fucker they tried it on first (crude)

Milder/Formal:

  • Test subject
  • Trial participant
  • Research volunteer
  • Pilot participant / Pilot group
  • Early adopter
  • Subject of experimentation

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Can sometimes sound slightly negative, implying risk or lack of choice for the subject.
  • In formal scientific or medical contexts, participant, subject, or volunteer are preferred.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Learners might not know the connection between the animal and laboratory testing. Once that link is understood, the metaphorical meaning is usually clear.

Examples

  • The first patients in the drug trial were the guinea pigs for the new medication.
  • I don't want to be the guinea pig for the untested beta software.
  • Our department is acting as the guinea pig for the company's new workflow system.

Dialogue

Manager: We're rolling out the new expense reporting software to your team first to test it.

Employee: So, we're the guinea pigs, huh?

Manager: (Smiling) Essentially, yes. Please provide lots of feedback so we can fix any issues before the company-wide launch.

Employee: Alright, will do. Hopefully, it's not too buggy!

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Signed up to be a guinea pig for a university psychology study. Should be interesting! #research #psychology
  • Facebook status: My office is the guinea pig for the new open-plan layout. Send noise-canceling headphones! #worklife #office
  • Tech forum comment: Anyone else acting as a guinea pig for the latest OS beta? Found some weird bugs... #beta #testing

Response Patterns

  • Curiosity: Oh really? How did it go? / What are they testing?
  • Apprehension/Sympathy: Ooh, rather you than me! / Be careful! / Are you okay with being the guinea pig?
  • Refusal (if asked to be one): No thanks, I'm not being the guinea pig!
  • Acknowledgment: Yeah, someone has to be the guinea pig, I guess.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Asking about the nature and purpose of the test/experiment.
  • Discussing the potential risks or benefits.
  • Inquiring about the results or experience of being the test subject.
  • Expressing willingness or reluctance to participate.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Used to describe the role of someone or something within a specific testing or experimental context.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on GUINEA pig. They used us as GUINEA PIGS.
  • Can be said neutrally, with apprehension, or slightly humorously depending on the context.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all English-speaking regions.
Dog-eat-dog world
🎲 Horse around