Why are spare ribs called that?

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Why are spare ribs called that?

Question #63238. Asked by Smithy2u.

peasypod
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peasypod
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Answer has 4 votes.

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The word 'spareribs' is an English alteration
of the German 'ribbesper' which refers to the idea of pork ribs roasted on a spear.

There is also the "absence of fat" which, in 1596, the usuage of 'spare' came about in association to pork ribs.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=s&p=34

Mar 08 2006, 9:04 PM

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Answer 1

It's in the etymology of the term rather than any butcher-speak location on the critter. Unlike short ribs (beef) or country-style ribs (pork), spareribs comes from 'ribbesper', Low German for pickled pork ribs done on a spit. The word has that diacritical macron over the last e.

Why are spare ribs called that?

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