What is mutton? How to use in English

The origin of the word "mutton" can be traced back to the Old English language, where it was spelled as "myt(t)an". The root word "myt-" meant "melt" or "cook," and it was applied to sheep that had already been weaned and were ready to be sold or eaten. The term "mutton" referred specifically to the meat of older sheep that were at least one year old. This was a significant distinction from the meat of lambs, which were younger sheep that were typically slaughtered before they were six months old. In contrast, the word "lamb" originally referred to any suckling animal, and it specifically meant a sheep that had not yet been weaned by its mother. Over time, the meanings of these words have evolved slightly. Today, the term "spring lamb" is sometimes used to describe lamb meat, but this refers specifically to lambs that were born in the spring and are young and tender. In summary, the word "mutton" derives from the Old English root "myt-," which meant "melt" or "cook." It specifically referred to the meat of older sheep, while "lamb" originally referred to any suckling animal.