Dictionary

biltong en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈbɪl(ˌ)tɒŋ/

Etymology

Borrowed from Afrikaans biltong, from bil (“buttock, hindquarter”) + tong (“tongue, strip”).

Meanings

1. (South-Africa, Zimbabwe, countable, uncountable) A South African food categorized by strips of lean meat cured by salting and drying, similar to American jerky.
   • The rest of the buck's flesh we cut into strips and hung in the sun to dry into 'biltong,' as, I believe, the South African Dutch call flesh thus prepared. 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
   • "P W who …?" Mr William Clark is reputed to have said when he was being quizzed for the job of American Assistant Secretary of State. Well, whatever political reminders he might now have, he will never forget our prime minister [P. W. Botha] after being given so memorable a dish as biltong souffle for breakfast yesterday, backed up by straight biltong and maroela jelly. 1981, “The Star: Gastro-diplomacy”, in South African Digest: Fortnightly Digest of South African Affairs, Pretoria: Department of Information, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 20, column 3:
   • Steak, chops, boerewors coiled sausage and chicken are cooked on a braai (an open fire of wood or coals) to go in rolls with salad. Snacks include biltong and chakalaka spicy relish – all available from specialist store the Savanna. 2026 June 6, Joanne Gould, “Pass the chakalaka! The best World Cup drinks and snacks – inspired by all 48 teams”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

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