Why Do We Say ‘Cut the Mustard’?
Whether it’s spicy, yellow, brown, honey, or whole grain, the phrase “cutting the mustard” suggests living up to expectations. The origins of this condiment-related idiom can be traced to the late 19th century, and variations are used in both positive and negative contexts. For instance, someone who cuts to mustard
performs adequately, while those who fail to cut the mustard are a major disappointment. Here’s a look at where the phrase originated and why we say it. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, some early printed examples of this idiom date back to the 1880s. In a June 1884 edition...
