mutt

The word 'mutt' is a fascinating example of semantic shift and clipping from the early 20th century. It originated as a shortened, colloquial form of 'muttonhead', a slang term for a dull or foolish person, likening their intellect to that of a sheep. By the 1900s, this derogatory sense was transferred to refer to a mongrel dog, likely due to the perceived low status or lack of pedigree in such animals, mirroring the insult. Thus, a term for a foolish human, derived from 'mutton', evolved into the standard, albeit informal, term for a mixed-breed dog.

The word 'mutt' is a simplex word. It is a clipping and alteration of the earlier English word 'muttonhead', which was a derogatory term for a stupid person, comparing them to a sheep. 'Mutton' itself comes from Old French 'moton' (sheep), of Gaulish origin.