side meat

American  

noun

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. salt pork and bacon taken from the sides of a hog.

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side meat British  

noun

1. informal  salt pork or bacon

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Etymology

Origin of side meat

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

“My grandmother … would point to a house and say, ‘Pat, when he was a little older than you, he’d be down there eating side meat.’

From Washington Post

On the main thoroughfare, no buildings were left unscathed: A derelict bath house had a hole blasted in its side; meat shops, pharmacies, a shoe shop and a beauty salon had been sprayed with shrapnel.

From Reuters

A depressing reminder that Americans are now so blinded by partisanship that we can’t even tolerate another person’s choice of side meat?

From Washington Post

It’s a great side meat with eggs.

From New York Times

While I was helping myself to hot dutch-oven com bread, fried potatoes, and fresh side meat, Grandpa poured the coffee.

From Literature