English Explanatory Dictionary

mutton dressed as lamb

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A middle-aged or elderly woman dressed in a style more suited to a young woman, especially if in a deliberate attempt to appear young.

Pronunciation

En-au-mutton dressed as lamb.ogg

Word forms

mutton dressed as lamb mutton dressed up as lamb

Etymology

A metaphorical sense of mutton (“unattractive older woman”) being dressed (clothed) as lamb (“a younger attractive woman”) and also a pun on mutton (“meat from old sheep”) being dressed (prepared) as lamb (“meat from young sheep”), related to obsolete lamb-fashion.

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