Mutton
Shoulder of Mutton Alley is unique on London’s street signs, although the meat also features in Chalk Farm on Mutton Place. The origins of Shoulder of Mutton Alley are uncertain: there did used to be a food market in the area which could’ve specialised in sheep meat, however, mutton was also a slang term for sex workers and this being docklands, a more base origin can’t be ruled out.
Mutton
Mutton is one of the most common meats around the world, taken from the domestic sheep. Lamb is from animals younger than one year old, while mutton is from older sheep. As mutton is tougher than lamb, it is therefore better suited to casserole-style cooking, as in Lancashire hotpot, for example, stews or curries.
