First, we have to admit the word “meat” is a total chameleon. For some, it’s only the flesh of land animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. By that strict definition, shrimp—a crustacean that swims—isn’t invited to the party.
But for others, “meat” means any edible animal muscle. And hello! Shrimp are basically tiny, armored swimmers with delicious muscle tails. By that logic, shrimp is absolutely meat—just with a built-in suit of armor and a perpetual side-eye.
The Catholic Conundrum (a.k.a. The Fish Fridays Trap)
Here’s where things get hilariously complicated. During Lent, many Christians avoid meat on Fridays. So, is shrimp a no-go? Nope! The ancient rule defined meat as the flesh of warm-blooded animals. Fish and shrimp got a pass because they’re cold-blooded.
Imagine being a medieval bishop arguing, “It’s not meat, it’s a sea insect!” That’s basically what happened. So for legions of Friday diners, shrimp isn’t meat—it’s a loophole shaped like a prawn.
