I do quite like bunging some chicken thighs in the oven at 230C alongside some potatoes for a quick and easy roast dinner – something I learnt off Jamie Oliver I think. But I had always wondered why thigh in German was this ludicrously long word Oberschenkel. In fact, the meaning is clear when you realise that a Schenkel is basically the same word as "shank", as in a lamb shank, which is a juicy leg joint you have to slow cook. Nice with some flagellot beans by the way. Oberschenkel is therefore just "upper shank", which also explains why "calf" is Unterschenkel. But sorry, these words are just silly. Can you imagine a footballer who's been crocked going "Ooo mein Oberschenkel"? No, nor me.