Ham vs. Hem: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 23, 2024
Ham is a type of cured pork meat, while hem refers to the edge of a piece of cloth that is folded and sewn.
Key Differences
Ham is a popular food product derived from the hind leg of a pig, often cured or smoked for flavor. It is widely used in various culinary dishes, such as sandwiches, breakfast meals, and festive dinners. Ham can be served cold or hot, sliced thinly, or as a whole roast. Hem, on the other hand, is a sewing term that describes the edge of a piece of fabric that has been folded back and stitched down. This is commonly seen on the bottom of garments like skirts, pants, and sleeves to prevent the fabric from fraying and to provide a neat finish.
Ham is associated with the culinary world and food preparation, offering a savory and sometimes sweet taste depending on its preparation. It can be found in grocery stores in various forms, such as whole, pre-sliced, or canned. Hem is related to tailoring and garment making, focusing on the construction and finishing of clothing items. The process of hemming involves folding the fabric, pressing it into place, and stitching it down, often using a sewing machine or hand stitching.
Ham has various types and preparations, including prosciutto, country ham, and honey-baked ham, each with its unique flavor profile. It is a versatile ingredient used in many recipes across different cuisines. Hem techniques can vary, including blind hems, rolled hems, and double-fold hems, each serving a specific purpose in garment construction. Proper hemming enhances the durability and appearance of clothing.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Cured pork meat
Edge of cloth folded and sewn
Context
Culinary, food preparation
Sewing, garment making
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Usage
Used in dishes, sandwiches
Used in finishing clothes
Types
Prosciutto, country ham
Blind hem, rolled hem
Relevance
Food industry
Fashion and tailoring
Ham and Hem Definitions
Ham
A type of cured or smoked pork meat.
The Easter dinner featured a delicious honey-glazed ham.
Hem
The edge of a piece of fabric folded back and stitched down.
She adjusted the hem of her dress to make it shorter.
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Ham
The hind leg of a pig used as meat.
She bought a ham for the holiday feast.
Hem
The process of finishing the edge of fabric.
The tailor did a perfect hem on my new pants.
Ham
A person who overacts or exaggerates.
He's such a ham when he's on stage.
Hem
An utterance or sound made to express hesitation.
He gave a little hem before answering the question.
Ham
The back of the thigh in a human or animal.
The athlete pulled a muscle in his ham during the game.
Hem
To surround or confine.
They were hemmed in by the crowd during the concert.
Ham
An amateur radio operator.
My uncle is a ham and enjoys talking to people worldwide.
Hem
A border or margin of something.
The garden was neatly hemmed with blooming flowers.
Ham
The thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especially a hog.
Hem
An edge or border on a piece of cloth, especially a finished edge, as for a garment or curtain, made by folding an edge under and stitching it down.
Ham
A cut of meat from the thigh of a hog, often cured by salting or smoking.
Hem
The height or level of the bottom edge of a skirt, dress, or coat; a hemline.
Ham
The back of the knee.
Hem
A short cough or clearing of the throat made especially to gain attention, warn another, hide embarrassment, or fill a pause in speech.
Ham
The back of the thigh.
Hem
To fold back and stitch down the edge of.
Ham
Hams The buttocks.
Hem
To surround and shut in; enclose
A valley hemmed in by mountains.
Ham
A performer who overacts or exaggerates.
Hem
To utter a hem.
Ham
A licensed amateur radio operator.
Hem
To hesitate in speech.
Ham
To exaggerate or overdo a dramatic role; overact.
Hem
Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.
Ham
To exaggerate or overdo (a dramatic role, for example).
Hem
An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
Ham
(anatomy) The region back of the knee joint; the popliteal space; the hock.
Hem
(sewing) The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
Ham
(countable) A thigh and buttock of an animal slaughtered for meat.
Hem
A rim or margin of something.
Ham
(uncountable) Meat from the thigh of a hog cured for food.
A little piece of ham for the cat
Hem
In sheet metal design, a rim or edge folded back on itself to create a smooth edge and to increase strength or rigidity.
Ham
The back of the thigh.
Hem
To make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
Ham
Electronic mail that is wanted; mail that is not spam or junk mail.
Hem
To make a hem.
Ham
Obsolete form of home
Hem
(transitive) To put hem on an article of clothing, to edge or put a border on something.
Ham
(acting) An overacting or amateurish performer; an actor with an especially showy or exaggerated style.
Hem
(transitive) To shut in, enclose, confine; to surround something or someone in a confining way.
A small yard hemmed about by a tall hedge.
Ham
(radio) An amateur radio operator.
Hem
Obsolete form of 'em
Ham
(acting) To overact; to act with exaggerated emotions.
Hem
Them
Ham
Home.
Hem
An onomatopoetic word used as an expression of hesitation, doubt, etc. It is often a sort of voluntary half cough, loud or subdued, and would perhaps be better expressed by hm.
Cough or cry hem, if anybody come.
Ham
The region back of the knee joint; the popliteal space; the hock.
Hem
An utterance or sound of the voice, hem or hm, often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
Ham
The thigh of any animal; especially, the thigh of a hog cured by salting and smoking.
A plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams.
Hem
The edge or border of a garment or cloth, doubled over and sewed, to strengthen it and prevent raveling.
Ham
A person who performs in a showy or exaggerated style; - used especially of actors. Also used attributively, as, a ham actor.
Hem
Border; edge; margin.
Ham
The licensed operator of an amateur radio station.
Hem
A border made on sheet-metal ware by doubling over the edge of the sheet, to stiffen it and remove the sharp edge.
Ham
To act with exaggerated voice and gestures; to overact.
Hem
To make the sound expressed by the word hem; hence, to hesitate in speaking.
Ham
Meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
Hem
To form a hem or border to; to fold and sew down the edge of.
Ham
(Old Testament) son of Noah
Hem
To border; to edge
All the skirt aboutWas hemmed with golden fringe.
Ham
A licensed amateur radio operator
Hem
Lap that forms a cloth border doubled back and stitched down
Ham
An unskilled actor who overacts
Hem
Fold over and sew together to provide with a hem;
Hem my skirt
Ham
Exaggerate one's acting
Hem
Utter `hem' or `ahem'
FAQs
How is ham prepared?
Ham is often cured, smoked, or baked for flavor.
How is a hem created?
A hem is created by folding the fabric edge and stitching it to prevent fraying.
What dishes can ham be used in?
Ham can be used in sandwiches, breakfast dishes, and festive dinners.
What is a hem?
A hem is the edge of a piece of fabric that is folded back and sewn down.
What is ham?
Ham is a type of cured or smoked pork meat.
Are there different hemming techniques?
Yes, techniques include blind hems, rolled hems, and double-fold hems.
Are there different types of ham?
Yes, types include prosciutto, country ham, and honey-baked ham.
What is the flavor profile of ham?
Ham can be savory, salty, or slightly sweet, depending on preparation.
Is ham a versatile ingredient?
Yes, ham is versatile and used in many recipes.
Can ham be eaten cold?
Yes, ham can be served cold or hot.
Can hems be decorative?
Yes, hems can be decorative as well as functional.
Can ham be part of a healthy diet?
In moderation, ham can be part of a balanced diet.
What garments typically have hems?
Skirts, pants, and sleeves typically have hems.
What is a honey-baked ham?
A honey-baked ham is glazed with honey and spices before baking.
What is a blind hem?
A blind hem is a hemming technique that is nearly invisible from the outside.
What is the purpose of a hem?
The purpose of a hem is to finish the edge of fabric and prevent fraying.
Can ham be stored for long periods?
Yes, cured and smoked hams can be stored for extended periods.
Can hems be adjusted?
Yes, hems can be adjusted to change the length of a garment.
Can hems be done by hand?
Yes, hems can be sewn by hand or using a sewing machine.
Is hemming an important sewing skill?
Yes, hemming is essential for garment finishing and durability.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
