shank

Shank is a term used in several different contexts, including anatomy, cooking, tools, and slang. The common thread is a portion or projection that connects a handle, leg, or other end to something else, or a type of cut associated with the leg.

In anatomy, the shank refers to the portion of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans. In many animals it corresponds to the lower leg area, including bone and surrounding tissues. The term is also used in veterinary contexts to describe similar leg segments.

In cooking, shank denotes a cut of meat taken from the leg, typically beef or lamb. Shank cuts are usually tough due to connective tissue and are well suited to slow, moist cooking methods such as braising, which render the meat tender and flavorful. Bone-in shanks are common, and cross-cut shanks are used in dishes like osso buco.

In tool and hardware terminology, the shank is the part of a tool that connects the handle or head to the working end. Examples include the shank of a drill bit, which must fit into a chuck, and the shank of a nail or screw, which is the long body between the head and the threaded portion.

In weaponry, a shank is an improvised stabbing weapon formed from a sharpened object, often associated with prison or improvised devices.

In sports slang, to shank a ball means to mishit it, most famously in golf when the ball is struck off the hosel and veers unpredictably.