can someone explain the difference between ham/gammon/ham hock etc.

[Chepstowmonkey]

I LOVE ham and gammon etc. and I find the leftovers really useful in the freezer for sandwiches or to chop into creamy pasta. However, I really don't know what I should be buying. Can anyone explain the difference and help me work out what I should be buying.

I'm shopping on quite a tight budget so cost is a factor but I usually do try to buy 'good' meat where possible. The last supermarket gammon joint i had was really salty so i didn't know whether i should be feeding it to my 2 year old.

If anyone could share their ham and gammon wisdom with me then i'd really be really grateful.

I've always thought ham is just cooked gammon. Iykwim?
Do you soak it before cooking? It helps to remove some of the salt, or if you're boiling it, skim the water periodically.

I always buy a joint of unsmoked gammon, and make sure it's a whole piece of meat, not a joint made from lots of bits and squished together (can't remember the proper term).

The kids like it done in the slow cooker with apple juice if that's any help.

Boil it first and chuck the water away and then cook with fresh water or however you are cooking it - get rid of the salt.