Definition

Noun: 1. A cut of meat: Specifically, a butcher's cut comprising the unsplit backbone and the two loins (the meat from both sides of the lamb's spine) from the rear half of the animal. It is a premium, tender, and often bone-in roast.

Usage

• This term is used primarily in culinary and butchery contexts to describe a specific, high-quality cut of lamb for roasting.
• It is typically prepared as a single, impressive roast for a meal.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To saddle" (verb, butchery): The action of preparing this specific cut. While "to saddle" can mean to burden someone, in butchery it refers to cutting the saddle from the carcass.
  • The butcher will saddle the lamb for the Sunday roast.

Variants and Related Words

• Saddle (noun, general): The seat for a rider on an animal's back. In butchery, it is the base term for a similar cut from other animals (e.g., saddle of venison, saddle of rabbit).
• Loin (noun): The cut of meat from the side and back of an animal. The saddle includes both loins.
• Rack of lamb: A different premium cut, consisting of several ribs from the lamb's forequarter.

Synonyms

• Lamb saddle: A less common but equivalent term.
• Double loin of lamb: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the two loins.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To be in the saddle: This common idiom means to be in control or in a position of authority. It is derived from horseback riding and is not directly related to the meat cut, but shares the same root word.
  • With the new CEO in the saddle, the company's strategy changed.

Noun

1. backbone and both loins of a lamb