Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

Many restaurants sell baby back ribs, but why are they called baby back, and when was the first use of the term?

share|improve this question
1  
For the record Mark -- I would not capitalise those words. There's no reason to do so. – Joe Blow Jul 1 '11 at 5:36

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

This is why they're called baby backs:

Baby back ribs (a.k.a. loin ribs, back ribs, or Canadian back ribs) are taken from the top of the rib cage between the spine and the spare ribs, below the loin muscle. The designation "baby" indicates the cuts are from market weight hogs, rather than sows.

N.B. emphasis added.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the first known usage:

First Known Use of BABY BACK RIBS

1981

share|improve this answer
@Joe Blow, which phrase? – Thursagen Jul 1 '11 at 5:38
1  
I was just saying, I would not capitalise "Baby Backs" (indeed, the unknown reference you quoted does not). There is zero reason to capitalise it (unless One Is Writing! An American Ad Agency Headline - ! "!!!" !) :) – Joe Blow Jul 1 '11 at 5:42

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.