In Britain, the word "muffin" usually means "English muffin". This is the earlier of the two kinds of muffins, which appeared in England in the 11th century. Moufflet is used in old French to describe the "soft" feeling of bread.
The "quick" muffin was developed by Americans through the invention of baking powder in the 19th century. This kind of muffin is very thick, and the flat bottom is usually 8 cm in diameter. In modern cooking methods, something, such as broken blueberries or chocolate, is always put on the top of the cake when baking. When eating muffin, you usually cut it in half with a knife, bake it hot and spread it with butter, which is very similar to eating a crumpet (also translated as "muffin") or a pikelet ("small pancake").