The favourite or smallest pig in the litter.—To follow like a tantony pig, i.e. St. Anthony’s pig; to follow close at one’s heels. St. Anthony the hermit was a swineherd, and is always represented with a swine’s bell and a pig. Some derive this saying from a privilege enjoyed by the friars of certain convents in England and France (sons of St. Anthony), whose swine were permitted to feed in the streets. These swine would follow any one having greens or other provisions, till they obtained some of them; and it was in those days considered an act of charity and religion to feed them.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
Anodyne Necklace * To knock AnthonyNathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes