tenderloin

[ ten-der-loin ]

/ ˈtɛn dərˌlɔɪn /

(in beef or pork) the tender meat of the muscle running through the sirloin and terminating before the ribs.

a cut of beef lying between the sirloin and ribs.

(initial capital letter)

(formerly) a district in New York City noted for corruption and vice: so called because police there could eat well from their bribes.
a similar district in any U.S. city.

Origin of tenderloin

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; tender¹ + loin

With a few efficient gestures, Arnone extracts the tenderloin, proclaiming, “This is the work that I love.”

The Art of the Pig |Blake Gopnik |October 31, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Heat fry pan with a dash of oil and quickly sear all sides of the tenderloin.

The Maori Star Chef Rocking the South Pacific |Lea Lane Stern |April 2, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
The tenderloin is rare when soft and spongy, and it becomes firmer as it reaches medium to well done.

The Maori Star Chef Rocking the South Pacific |Lea Lane Stern |April 2, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
But without the dream life was unbearable, in the Tenderloin and on the Bowery.

Children of the Tenements |Jacob A. Riis

Only two years had passed since the police and the reporters of the Tenderloin had ceased calling him "Doc."

Vera |Richard Harding Davis
Why, there are crossroads up in Sullivan County that would seem like the Tenderloin alongside of that place.

Shorty McCabe |Sewell Ford
Have you never received all flank, or a hard dry wing, while another guest had all tenderloin, or the second joint?

Carving and Serving |Mrs. D. A. Lincoln
She got us off Market Street on the next block, swinging back into the Tenderloin.

Little Brother |Cory Doctorow

tenderloin

/ (ˈtɛndəˌlɔɪn) /

a tender cut of pork or other meat from between the sirloin and ribs

US a district of a city that is particularly noted for vice and corruption

sense 2 from Tenderloin, former district of New York City, regarded as an easy source of bribes for a corrupt policeman