calfflesh

English

Alternative forms

• calf-flesh, calf flesh

Etymology

From Middle English calfflesch, equivalent to calf +‎ flesh. Compare Dutch kalfsvlees (“veal”), German Kalbfleisch (“veal”).

Noun

calfflesh (uncountable)

1. (nonstandard) The meat or flesh of a calf; veal.
   • 1875, William M'Combie, Cattle and cattle-breeders:

     The calf should be allowed to suckle or to be fed from the pail for six or eight months. It has then strength to stand weaning, and, if properly cared for, will not be checked in its growth, and it will retain the good calfflesh it has put on.

   • 1899, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Punch:

     […] and also very often eat man beefsteaks or calfflesh. [Note: This text is deliberately imitating a non-native speaker of English for comic effect.]

   • 1902, Thomas Walley, A practical guide to meat inspection:

     Calf flesh possesses a distinctive odour. While it is, by some manufacturers, largely substituted for chicken in the manufacture of ham, chicken, and tongue, other substitutions for veal are rarely practised [...]

Synonyms

• calfmeat