spatchcock

Meaning

Noun

Poultry which has been cut along the spine and spread out for more even cooking.

Verb

1. (transitive) To cut (poultry) along the spine and spread the halves apart for more even cooking.
2. (figuratively, transitive) Often followed by in or into: to interpolate or insert (something into another thing) awkwardly; to sandwich (something within another thing).

Synonyms

interpolate

stick in

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈspæt͡ʃkɒk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: spiche-coke

Inherited from Middle English: *speche

In summary

The noun is probably derived from one of the following:
* A variant of spitchcock (“eel split lengthwise and broiled”). from Middle English spiche-coke, The further etymology is uncertain; the following possibilities have been suggested:
** From Middle English *speche, *spiche (“to split”) + cock, coken (“to allow (something) to cook; to cook”).
** From spik (“animal fat, especially lard”), spik, spike (“large nail; pointed stud”), or spit, spite (“rod for cooking meat, spit; pointed object”); + cok (“male of the common domestic fowl, cock, rooster”).
* From Irish spot (“spot”) or spochta (the past participle of spoch (“to cut, clip”)) + coc (“male of the common domestic fowl, cock, rooster”).
A derivation from (di)spatch (“to dispose of speedily; to make a speedy end of”) + cock is now thought to be unlikely.
In a few texts from the 14–1700s the form smatchcock is found, possibly an error or an alteration under the influence of smatch (“taste, flavour”).
The verb is derived from the noun.