ˈneck-beef
[f. neck n.1]
Beef from the necks of cattle, which is of inferior quality. Hence transf. of anything inferior or cheap.
| 1662 Petty Taxes 86 A little bread and cheese,..neck beef, and inwards twice a week. 1687 Sedley Bellamira iv. i, She is very pretty, and as cheap as neck-beef. 1707 Cibber Double Gallant iv. Wks. 1777 III. 59 If I had the feeding of you, I'd bring you in a fortnight to neck-beef. 1772 Foote Nabob ii. Wks. 1799 II. 311 Dog-cheap; neck-beef; a penny loaf for a halfpenny! 1802–12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) IV. 438 As neck-beef and sticking-pieces are provided by the butcher for those who cannot come up to the price of ribs and sirloins. |