What Animal is Beef Derived From? The Complete Guide
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4 min read
The word "beef" is derived from the Old French word *boef*, meaning ox or cow, and specifically refers to the meat from cattle. This term is used to distinguish the meat from the live animal, similar to how pork comes from pigs. While most people associate beef solely with cows, the meat can come from mature females, bulls, and especially, castrated males known as steers.
