shepherd pie
shepherd pie Lexical Profile
• noun
British A traditional British dish consisting of minced or diced lamb or mutton cooked in a savory gravy, topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown.
"For dinner, we ordered a traditional shepherd pie at the local pub, served with a side of roasted vegetables."
Word Nuance & Usage
Most commonly written and spoken with the possessive as 'shepherd's pie'. Culnary tradition strictly dictates that a shepherd's pie is made with lamb or mutton, while a similar dish made with minced beef is called a cottage pie.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The term 'shepherd's pie' emerged in Britain in the 1850s to 1870s. The name 'shepherd' was adopted because the dish is traditionally made with mutton or lamb (sheep), distinguishing it from the earlier 'cottage pie' which used beef.