Loins Named a Part of the Back, Not the Front
The loins are the area between ribs and hips. Butchers and anatomists use the word precisely.
The loin is the part of the body between the lowest ribs and the hip bones, on either side of the spine. Butchery uses it exactly: the loin is a back cut, which is why a loin of pork and a sirloin both come from along the spine. *Sirloin* is not a knighted cut — the story about a king dubbing it Sir Loin is a joke of the 1600s, and the word comes from French *surlonge*, above the loin. *Gird your loins* means to prepare, from tucking up a robe before exertion.
- The lower back. *A pain in the loin.*
- A cut of meat. *Loin of pork.*
- Sirloin — above the loin. *Sirloin.*
- Gird your loins — prepare. *Gird your loins.*
- Latin — *lumbus*. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | loin | The loin. |
| Plural | loins | Loins. |
| Compound | sirloin | Sirloin. |
| Compound | tenderloin | Tenderloin. |
| Latin | lumbus | The loin. |
- Roast loin of pork.Butchery.
- Lumbar comes from the same root.Anatomy.
- Sirloin means above the loin.Correction.
Where the sirloin story comes from
- The tale says a king knighted the cut as Sir Loin
- It is told of Henry VIII, James I and Charles II, which is a sign it is false
- The real source is French *surlonge*, above the loin
- The spelling with Sir was a later joke
- The story survived because it is more entertaining than the truth
Old French *loigne*, from Latin *lumbus*, the loin, which also gives *lumbar*.
Was sirloin really knighted by a king?
No. The story is a joke from the 1600s and is told of three different monarchs. The word comes from French surlonge, above the loin.
What does gird your loins mean?
To prepare for effort, from the practice of tucking up a long robe and belting it before hard work or travel.