Sweathog

A Sweathog, often capitalized, is a term primarily associated with the American television sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, which aired from 1975 to 1979. In the context of the show, "Sweathogs" referred to a group of underachieving, mischievous, and somewhat rebellious students in the "remedial" class (also known as the "dropout prevention" class) at James Buchanan High School in Brooklyn, New York.

The Sweathogs were led by Vinnie Barbarino, and other prominent members included Juan Epstein, Arnold Horshack, and Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington. They were initially taught by their former classmate, Gabe Kotter, who returned to Buchanan High as a teacher hoping to guide them and prevent them from dropping out or falling into trouble.

The term "Sweathog" implied a lack of academic ambition, a certain level of delinquency, and a perceived lower social standing within the school. While often portrayed comically, the characters and their experiences touched upon themes of social inequality, the challenges faced by underprivileged students, and the importance of understanding and compassion in education. The label became widely recognized and used colloquially to refer to similar types of groups or individuals perceived as rebellious or academically disengaged.