offal
UK[ˈɒf(ə)l]US[ˈɔːf(ə)l]
n
The internal organs of an animal, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, used as food.
n
Waste material or byproducts; refuse.
Etymology
The word 'offal' originates from Middle English, formed by combining the preposition 'off' with the noun 'fall'. It literally meant "that which falls off," specifically referring to parts cut off during the butchering process, such as entrails and less desirable trimmings. This reflects a pragmatic view of butchery, where the prime cuts were the main product, and the 'off-fall' was the secondary or waste material. Over time, the term narrowed to refer primarily to edible internal organs (variety meats) while retaining its broader, derogatory sense for any worthless refuse or rubbish.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It is a compound formed from two Old English elements, but in modern English spelling, it is not productively segmented into meaningful, independent morphemes.
Examples
The traditional dish is made from a mixture of offal, including liver and heart.
Some people consider offal to be a nutritious and flavorful part of the animal.
After the construction, the yard was littered with offal like broken bricks and wood scraps.