The real origin of ‘cutting the mustard’ [on hold]
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WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, England, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard". All this and everything else you could ever want to know about mustard can be found at the Mustard Museum in Norwich.
idioms
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
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put on hold as unclear what you're asking by user240918, lbf, GEdgar, Jason Bassford, Mitch Nov 30 at 18:52
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, England, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard". All this and everything else you could ever want to know about mustard can be found at the Mustard Museum in Norwich.
idioms
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by user240918, lbf, GEdgar, Jason Bassford, Mitch Nov 30 at 18:52
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
2
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32
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WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, England, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard". All this and everything else you could ever want to know about mustard can be found at the Mustard Museum in Norwich.
idioms
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, England, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard". All this and everything else you could ever want to know about mustard can be found at the Mustard Museum in Norwich.
idioms
idioms
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
asked Nov 30 at 17:59
user326349
42
42
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user326349 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by user240918, lbf, GEdgar, Jason Bassford, Mitch Nov 30 at 18:52
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by user240918, lbf, GEdgar, Jason Bassford, Mitch Nov 30 at 18:52
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
2
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32
add a comment |
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
2
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
2
2
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32
add a comment |
1 Answer
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According to Etymology Online Dictionary:
To cut the mustard (1907, usually in negative) is probably from slang mustard "genuine article, best thing" (1903) on notion of "that which enhances flavor.
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
According to Etymology Online Dictionary:
To cut the mustard (1907, usually in negative) is probably from slang mustard "genuine article, best thing" (1903) on notion of "that which enhances flavor.
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
According to Etymology Online Dictionary:
To cut the mustard (1907, usually in negative) is probably from slang mustard "genuine article, best thing" (1903) on notion of "that which enhances flavor.
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
According to Etymology Online Dictionary:
To cut the mustard (1907, usually in negative) is probably from slang mustard "genuine article, best thing" (1903) on notion of "that which enhances flavor.
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
According to Etymology Online Dictionary:
To cut the mustard (1907, usually in negative) is probably from slang mustard "genuine article, best thing" (1903) on notion of "that which enhances flavor.
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
answered Nov 30 at 18:18
user307254
52816
52816
add a comment |
add a comment |
The late Evan Morris, the Word Detective, had a blog post about "cut the mustard." It's online at word-detective.com/122099.html
– Literalman
Nov 30 at 18:03
2
the "Question" box here is for asking questions, not for telling us answers. Especially not unreferenced answers.
– GEdgar
Nov 30 at 18:32