forehock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist, Technical, Butchery, Cooking
Quick answer
What does “forehock” mean?
The front leg or shoulder cut of pork.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The front leg or shoulder cut of pork.
A primal cut of pork taken from the upper part of the front leg and shoulder, often cured or smoked to produce bacon or a small joint for roasting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is standard in British butchery. In American butchery, the analogous cut is often simply called a 'pork shoulder' or 'pork picnic shoulder', with 'hock' more commonly referring to the lower joint (ankle).
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes a traditional cut, often associated with curing. In the US, the term is rare and may cause confusion.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but significantly more recognized in UK contexts related to butchery and traditional recipes.
Grammar
How to Use “forehock” in a Sentence
The forehock is cured to make bacon.Roast the forehock with vegetables.We buy the forehock from the local butcher.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meat wholesale, butchery supply, and agricultural product descriptions.
Academic
Used in texts on animal husbandry, food science, and culinary arts.
Everyday
Extremely rare in everyday conversation outside of specific discussions with butchers or in traditional recipe contexts.
Technical
Standard term in butchery, meat cutting, and some culinary professions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forehock”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forehock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forehock”
- Using 'forehock' to refer to any pork cut. Confusing it with 'gammon' or 'ham' (from the hind leg).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A forehock comes from the pig's front leg and shoulder, while gammon comes from the hind leg. Both can be cured, but they are different primal cuts.
Yes, a fresh forehock (pork shoulder) can be roasted like any other pork joint, though it is a tougher cut that benefits from slow, moist cooking.
No, it is a specialist term from butchery and traditional cookery. Most English speakers would use more general terms like 'pork shoulder'.
Not as a standard butchery term. The rear leg equivalent is the 'hind hock' or just 'hock', which is the ankle joint. The meatier upper part of the hind leg is the 'ham' or 'gammon'.
The front leg or shoulder cut of pork.
Forehock is usually specialist, technical, butchery, cooking in register.
Forehock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔː.hɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːr.hɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE means front (like forearm), HOCK is a joint. The FRONT joint/joint meat of the pig.
Conceptual Metaphor
None commonly applied.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would you most likely encounter the word 'forehock'?