mutton

Where does the word "mutton" come from? It comes from Gaulish (Celtic) multo, passing through Medieval Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

Mutton’s story begins in Gaulish (Celtic): multo meant “sheep.” A Celtic word for sheep, current in Gaul before and during Roman rule. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as multonem. The Gallo-Roman Latin form of the Celtic word, source of Old French moton. From there it passed into Old French as moton by medieval. Used for both the sheep and its meat. It reached English by medieval as mutton. Adopted for the meat, while "sheep" stayed the native English word for the animal. Today, mutton means the meat of a mature sheep.

1. Stage 1 · Gaulish (Celtic) · ancient multo "sheep", a Celtic word for sheep, current in Gaul before and during Roman rule.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval multonem "sheep", the Gallo-Roman Latin form of the Celtic word, source of Old French moton.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval moton "sheep, mutton", used for both the sheep and its meat.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval mutton "the meat of sheep", adopted for the meat, while "sheep" stayed the native English word for the animal.