Leader

In Southern and Appalachian speech, a leader refers to a tendon, ligament, or sinew - the tough, stringy part of the body (or meat) that can get strained, cut, or "pulled."

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synonyms: tendon, ligament, sinew

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I thought everbody called it 'leader.' So it's common, out in the country at least.

Pronunciation

[LEE-der] /ˈliː.dɚ/

Meaning & Usage

- Tendon or ligament (noun)

Cletus:

I can’t work today - pulled a leader in my leg yesterday.

Marla:

Papaw did the same thing hog dressin’ last fall - cut a leader clean through.

variations: leader, pulled a leader, cut a leader, leader tendon, leader ligament

★ Southerners often talk about "pulling" or "cutting" a leader - meaning a strained tendon or severed ligament - especially in farm, hunting, or butchering contexts. ★

Origin

An old Southern and Appalachian term for tendons and ligaments, likely from an older English sense of "leader" as something that guides or connects. Documented in rural speech and butchering vocabulary for more than a century.

Notes

Leader - everyday word for tendon/ligament in rural Southern and Appalachian speech.
Commonly used in injury contexts ("pulled a leader") or meat processing ("cut the leader").
Not standard medical terminology - expect puzzled looks outside the region.
Shows the overlap of everyday work vocabulary (butchering, farm work) with anatomy terms.
Still found among older speakers; younger generations more likely to say "tendon" or "ligament."

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Common Questions

Does "leader" mean tendon or ligament?

It can mean either - basically any stringy connective tissue in the body or meat.

Where did "leader" come from?

Likely from an older English word meaning "something that leads or connects," adapted in rural contexts.

Do doctors use "leader"?

No - it’s a regional, colloquial term, not standard anatomy.