The spelling of the word "tallow" is peculiar because it doesn't exactly follow the rules of English phonetics. The sound of the letter "a" is pronounced as "æ" rather than the usual "a" sound as in "apple". Thus, "tallow" is pronounced as "tæləʊ". This is because "tallow" is derived from Old English "talu", where "a" was pronounced as "æ". Interestingly, this word has held on to its Old English pronunciation despite changes to the spoken language over time. Tallow refers to a hard fatty substance that is rendered from animal fat and used for making candles, soap, and lubricants.
Tallow is a noun that refers to a substance derived from animal fat, primarily beef or mutton fat, that has been processed and rendered. It is typically solid at room temperature and may vary in color from white to yellowish. Tallow has a long history of usage in various applications due to its unique properties.
Tallow is commonly used in the production of candles and soaps, where it serves as a key ingredient. It has a high melting point, making it a suitable material for creating slow-burning and long-lasting candles. In soap production, tallow contributes to the formation of a thick and creamy lather, while also providing moisturizing qualities to the skin.
Apart from its usage in the cosmetic and personal care industries, tallow finds application in various other fields. It is utilized in the manufacturing of lubricants, greases, and even biofuels. Additionally, tallow can be used for the production of animal feed, providing a valuable source of dietary fats and energy for livestock.
Tallow has faced some controversy in recent times due to concerns related to animal welfare and environmental impact. In response, some industries have shifted towards alternative and plant-based substitutes. Nonetheless, tallow remains an important ingredient in numerous traditional products, rooted in its historical significance and functional properties.
The harder fat of ruminants, especially of the sheep and the ox; suet, sevum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• The hard fat of ruminant animals, separated from the membranes by melting down.
• To smear or grease with tallow; to fatten.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tallow" has its roots in Old English. It can be traced back to the Old English word "talu", which meant "animal fat". This Old English term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "talo" or "talō", meaning "piece cut off" or "something divided". In Old Norse, the word was "tǫlr", also referring to animal fat. Ultimately, the origin of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "*del-", which meant "to divide" or "to share".