Paddywhack

Paddywhack (also spelt Paddywack) or Nuchal ligament/Ligamentum nuchae, is a strong elastic ligament or tendon in the midline of the neck of sheep or cattle which relieves the animal of the weight of its head. It is pale yellow in colour. (The yellow color is the elastin on the ligaments.) The name is derived from the corruption of paxwax (originally faxwax Old English hair + to grow).

Usage

It is eaten in several countries. It is high in protein (78%), fat (10%), crude fibre (0.7%), and crude ash (1%). The meat is taken from domestic cattle, the bison, African buffalo, the water buffalo, the yak, and the four-horned and spiral-horned antelopes.^{[citation needed]}

Dried paddywhack is commonly packaged and sold as a dog treat.

In popular culture

It is referred to in the children's nursery rhyme This Old Man.

See also

• Nuchal ligament

References

• Beef Carcase Grading System Meat Standards Australia