French word meaning 'delicate' or 'dainty,' used in English especially for 'filet mignon,' a premium cut of beef.
From Old French 'mignon' possibly related to 'mignarder' meaning 'to caress' or 'treat delicately.' Entered English through French culinary terminology in the 1700s.
Filet mignon literally means 'dainty fillet'—it's tender because it's one of the least-used muscles on the cow, so it has less tough collagen, making it buttery soft compared to hardworking muscles!
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