Pope's eye
[Called in Ger. pfaffensbisschen priest's bit, prob. as being a tit-bit which the priest was supposed to claim; in F. œil de Judas Judas's eye; ‘eye’ referring app. to its rounded form.]
The lymphatic gland surrounded with fat in the middle of a leg of mutton; regarded by some as a tit-bit.
| 1673 J. W. Vinegar & Mustard B iv, Husband, pray cut me the Popes Eye out of the Leg of Mutton, I'le try if I can eat a bit of it. 1682 T. Gibson Anat. iv. (1697) App., A gland which we commonly call in sheep the Nut or Pope's eye. 1755 Johnson, Popeseye, the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of the thigh: why so called I know not. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 98 The piece of fat in it called the Pope's eye, is considered a delicate morceau by epicures. |