A: The phrase “cut the mustard” originated in late 19th-century America. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “slang (originally U.S.),” and says the noun “mustard” here means “something which adds piquancy or zest; that which sets the standard or is the best of anything.”
What is the origin of the phrase cut the mustard?
A: The phrase “cut the mustard” originated in late 19th-century America. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “slang (originally U.S.),” and says the noun “mustard” here means “something which adds piquancy or zest; that which sets the standard or is the best of anything.”
Is the saying cut the muster or cut the mustard?
A soldier who passes inspection is said to “pass muster.” We use this phrase for all kinds of things and processes that must be approved, meet a certain standard. … Don’t believe those who insist that the latter phrase is a mistake for “cut the muster.” And the expression is definitely not “pass the mustard.”
What does cut the mustard mean fart?
1. slang To work or operate in a satisfactory manner. … rude slang To fart.Where did the phrase cut the cheese come from?
Origin of cut-the-cheese This idiom references the foul smell emitted by some cheeses many of which have a rind that keep the odor in. Once the rind is pierced, as in the case of slicing it, the not so pleasant smell is released.
Where does cut a rug come from?
Origin: “Cutting a rug” comes from the 1920s and the 1930s when couples would dance the jitterbug. The jitterbug was a vigorous dance that when done continuously by many couples in one area would make the carpet appear as though it was “cut” or “gashed”.
What does the term Bob's your uncle mean?
Definition of and Bob’s your uncle British, informal. —used to say that something is easy to do or use Just complete the form, pay the fee, and Bob’s your uncle!
What do you mean by the idiom hit the nail on the head?
phrase. If you say that someone has hit the nail on the head, you think they are exactly right about something.What does FAT CITY mean slang?
Definition of fat city US slang. : a very comfortable condition or situation in life He thinks he’s going to win the lottery, and then he’ll be in fat city.
What is the meaning of get down to brass tacks?: to start to discuss or consider the most important details or facts about something We finally got down to brass tacks and decided to work out a schedule for the project.
Article first time published onWhere does the saying brass tacks come from?
According to one, brass-headed tacks were used in the foundation of chairs, so when you went to reupholster them, the tacks were last things you “got down” to after removing the covering and stuffing. Hence, that’s when the craftsman was really getting to the heart of the matter.
Where does the saying Close but no cigar come from?
The phrase is originated in the United States, likely during the 20th century or earlier. It alludes to the practice of stalls at fairgrounds and carnivals giving out cigars as prizes. This phrase would be used for those who were close to winning a prize, but failed to do so.
Where does the expression Bob's your uncle come from?
“Bob’s your uncle” is a way of saying “you’re all set” or “you’ve got it made.” It’s a catch phrase dating back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil (a.k.a. Lord Salisbury) decided to appoint a certain Arthur Balfour to the prestigious and sensitive post of Chief Secretary for Ireland.
What is the meaning of the idiom cut to the chase?
Get to the point, get on with it, as in We don’t have time to go into that, so let’s cut to the chase. This usage alludes to editing (cutting) film so as to get to the exciting chase scene in a motion picture. [
What does cut the cake mean?
Informal to surpass all others, esp. in stupidity, folly, etc. 9 Informal the whole or total of something that is to be shared or divided. the miners are demanding a larger slice of the cake, that is a fair method of sharing the cake. vb.
What does it mean when someone calls you cheesy?
Cheesy is a great informal way to talk about shoddy or slightly unpleasant things. It comes from late 1800’s United States university student slang, which also included the term cheese, which meant “ignorant, stupid person.” Definitions of cheesy. adjective. of very poor quality; flimsy.
Why is Fanny your aunt?
The meaning is similar to that of the French expression “et voilà!” or the American phrase “easy as pie”. … A phrase with the same meaning is ‘Fanny’s your aunt’. When used together it means complete or the whole lot. If Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt you’ve got a full set of relatives and you are complete.
What does the saying how's your father mean?
(A bit of) How’s Your Father; Idiom, saying, turn of phrase. Meaning: Sexy time, sexual intercourse or other sexual activity. Normally used in a phrase in Britain similar to: “Fancy a bit of how’s your father?” … The inference being that the son is going where the father has already been.
What does sending someone to Coventry mean?
To send someone to Coventry is an idiom used in England meaning to deliberately ostracise someone. Typically, this is done by not talking to them, avoiding their company, and acting as if they no longer exist. … Coventry is a cathedral city historically in Warwickshire.
What does hitting the sack mean?
infml to go to bed in order to sleep: I’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I’ll hit the sack.
Where does the saying falling in love come from?
Fall in love has been around since at least the 1500’s, and it comes from the sense of fall that means “occur or become apparent, especially suddenly.” Other similar phrases are fall asleep or fall behind.
What does Called on the carpet mean?
Definition of call (someone) on the carpet : to criticize (someone) for doing something wrong He was/got called on the carpet for missing the deadline.
What means turn pink?
If you go pink, your face turns a slightly redder colour than usual because you are embarrassed or angry, or because you are doing something energetic. She went pink again as she remembered her mistake. 3. adjective. Pink is used to refer to things relating to or connected with gay people.
What does back in the pink mean?
In the pink is an English idiom that means to be at the peak of health, to be in perfect condition. The expression in the pink to mean to be at the peak of health goes back to the 1500s when the word pink did not refer to a color.
Where did the term Fat City come from?
Example: When I land my movie contract we will be in fat city. Origin: This is a type of slang that adds city to a word to indicate a “location” of some condition – “if you do that you’ll end up in trouble city.” And of course “fat” has been used for centuries as a synonym for rich and well-to-do people.
What is the meaning of kicked the bucket?
To kick the bucket is an English idiom, considered a euphemistic, informal, or slang term meaning “to die”.
What does spilling the beans mean?
Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
What does it mean to have someone under your thumb?
: under someone’s control or influence He kept the employees under his thumb.
What does the idiom running out of steam mean?
phrase. If you run out of steam, you stop doing something because you have no more energy or enthusiasm left. [informal]
What does beating around the bush mean?
to avoid giving a definite answer or position. Please stop beating around the bush and tell me the full story.
Why is dying referred to as kicking the bucket?
The term is known to date from at least the 16th century. The more interesting (and probably apochryphal) origin relates to suicides who would stand on a large bucket with noose around the neck and, at the moment of their choosing, would kick away the bucket.
