Paddywack

[Bert]

We all know 'nick-nack paddywack, give a (or 'the') dog a bone' but, what is the origin of the expression? 'Paddywhack' is in the OCD and Chambers, but the meaning is of little help. Pet shops around here (Peterborough) sell something called 'paddywack' which is a (cooked) large tendon from the back of a cow. This might have something to do with the rhyme - a butchering reference, perhaps?

[IndieSinger]

There are a few ideas here: http://forum.leo.org/archiv/2003_01/22/20030122102
905g_en.html - and here - http://europa.eu.int/comm/translation/reading/peri
odicals/language_matters/1/word.htm

[boviner]

Re: paffy wack . A paddywack is the large gristle than runs down the back of chuck.. A chuck is a braising steak that is sliced into portions to braise it is about eighteen inches to two feet long and is very tough it would take a dog a long time to consume this gristle. I dont know where the bit about give the dog a bone comes from , but that is what a paddywack is in butchery terms it is of no use to the butcher or the consumer. Regards boviner.

[paulsamuel]

paddywack was once given to children to chew on. kind of recreational chewing, maybe to stave off appetite before dinner.