Why Are These Misnamed (or Are They) and How Do You Prepare Them?

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought these things were named incorrectly. For starters, when I happened upon them at Walmart, it was kind of like a tiny little "jump scare."

But then I just let it sink in what I was seeing. I had no idea you could purchase raw chicken claws in ANY meat department. However, take a look at what they are ACTUALLY called.

walmart.com

I thought only mammals had paws, but I guess not. Chickens do, too. It's alright, though, if you called them claws. Of course, naturally, I had to do a little research into why the word "paws" is interchangeable with "claws" in this instance. And, as it turns out, there's a Poultry Extension website. I never knew I'd need one, but I do, and it tells us why you can apply the word "paws" to chickens:

Chickens stand and walk on their toes. Most chickens have three toes projecting forward and one projecting back, sometimes referred to as the claw. A few breeds, however, have five toes on each foot. Some breeds also have feathers on their shanks and toes.

Okay, so FIVE toes = "paws," and THREE toes = "claws." I wouldn't have guessed it would be that simple. Now...for my next question...what do you DO with them? Well, I learned there are LOTS of answers. This one, however, looks particularly enticing:

There you go. That's more like it, and I want it now.

Seriously, where's the ranch? Where's the bleu cheese?