ScienceAugust 16, 2026
backstrap
BAK-strap
Definition
The long, tender muscle running along either side of an animal's spine, commonly referred to as the loin or tenderloin in culinary terms.
Etymology
The word is a compound of the English 'back' and 'strap,' referring to the long, band-like shape of the spinal muscles. It is primarily used in North American hunting and culinary contexts.
In the news
The article uses 'backstrap' to describe the massive amount of meat that could be harvested from an Argentinosaurus, illustrating the practical food potential of giant herbivorous dinosaurs.
Could we have farmed dinosaurs? Meet the tastiest dinosaurs that could have ended up on our plates – had we lived alongside them…
Read the full article ↗BBC Wildlife Magazine