That's why, as early as the 1600s, hot/strong/keen as mustard was a figure of speech for something extremely powerful, passionate, or enthusiastic. These qualities are very admirable or desirable, so it's perhaps no surprise that mustard took the jump to connotations of “genuine, superior, excellent.”
What is the saying as keen as mustard?
Definition of (as) keen as mustard
British. : very excited and interested : very enthusiastic I gave him the job because he was willing to learn and seemed as keen as mustard.
What does mustard mean in British slang?
The word mustard is used in several English idiomatic expressions and is also used as a (mainly British) slang term with several different meanings. For example, mustard can mean money. i.e. My girlfriend left me because I don't earn enough mustard! It can also be used to replace the word good.
Where does the phrase keen as mustard come from?
The phrase “as keen as mustard” is stated to have originated from mustard. Mustard was, and till now is a must ingredient for cooking beef because it would add flavor and increase appetite.
Why do we say fit as a fiddle?
The violin was picked out as the exemplar because of the alliteration of fit and fiddle, and because the violin is a beautifully shaped instrument producing a very particular sound. But then fit came to mean 'in good physical shape' and so fit as a fiddle came to mean 'in good condition physically'.
43 related questions foundWhat does too old to cut the mustard mean?
Most often, the phrase is used in negative constructions for when something doesn't live up to expectations or can't do the job, e.g., The quarterback couldn't cut the mustard in the playoffs.
Where does the phrase pass muster come from?
pass muster, to
To meet a required standard. This term originated in the military and once meant to undergo review without censure. George Gascoigne used it figuratively in 1575: “The latter verse is neither true nor pleasant, and the first verse may pass the musters” (The Making of Verse).
What does the phrase pass muster mean?
Soon enough pass the muster started to drop its the, and pass muster began to be used in general and non-military senses, with the meaning it has today: “to gain approval or acceptance.” This sort of potted history of a word or phrase is very satisfying, since it is not immediately apparent to many people why we use ...
Is the saying cut the muster or cut the mustard?
To recap: “To pass muster” is correct. “To cut the mustard” is correct. All other forms are just a bit muddled.
Where does deaf as a post come from?
The first simile has its origin in John Palsgrave's Acolastus (1540): “How deaf an ear I intended to give him ... he were as good to tell his tale to a post.” It has largely replaced deaf as an adder, alluding to an ancient belief that adders cannot hear; it is recorded in the Bible (Psalms 58:3–5).
What does the phrase good as gold mean?
If someone is as good as gold, they are very well behaved. This phrase is most often used when describing children's behaviour. For example: You'll have to be as good as gold during the wedding – don't go running off in the church!
What does keen as a bean mean?
(as) keen as a bean (not comparable) (simile, informal) Very keen; enthusiastic; eager.
Where did the phrase at sixes and sevens come from?
It dates from the mid-1380s and seems from its context to mean "to hazard the world" or "to risk one's life". William Shakespeare uses a similar phrase in Richard II, "But time will not permit: all is uneven, And every thing is left at six and seven". The phrase is also used in Gilbert & Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S.
What does got my head in the clouds mean?
Be absentminded or impractical, as in She must have had her head in the clouds when she made the reservations, because they never heard of us, or He'll never be able to run the business—he's always got his head in the clouds.
What does cut the cheese mean?
cut the cheese (third-person singular simple present cuts the cheese, present participle cutting the cheese, simple past and past participle cut the cheese) (Canada, US, idiomatic, euphemistic, slang) To fart (flatulate). quotations ▼
What does give them the runaround mean?
Definition of give (someone) the runaround
informal. : to fail to give (someone) information or help that he or she needs by not answering questions or by not dealing with the problem directly Their customer representatives keep giving me the runaround.
Where did the phrase can't cut the mustard come from?
WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, 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".
What does past mustard mean?
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. It is most often used in a negative sense, as in a flawed business plan than “doesn't pass muster.”
What does fly off the handle mean idiom?
Definition of fly off the handle
: to lose control of one's emotions : to become very angry He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
Where does up to snuff come from?
Snuff was powdered tobacco inhaled through the nose. The phrase up to snuff comes from a playwright in the 1800s. He used it to describe someone as knowing what is going on or being well-informed or 'in the know'. Over time the definition changed and now it more closely resembles the phrase up to scratch.
What is the meaning of the idiom a dark horse?
If you describe someone as a dark horse, you mean that people know very little about them, although they may have recently had success or may be about to have success.
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 does dressed up to the nines mean?
Answer: The phrase "dressed to the nines" is just a specific application of the Scottish phrase "to the nine " The earliest written evidence of this phrase appeared in the late 18th century in the poetry of Robert Burns. Its meaning is "to perfection; just right."
What does bought the farm mean?
What is meant by the phrase “bought the farm”? Answer. It comes from a 1950s-era Air Force term meaning “to crash” or “to be killed in action,” and refers to the desire of many wartime pilots to stop flying, return home, buy a farm, and live peaceably ever after.
What is the meaning of bolt from blue?
Definition of bolt from the blue
: a complete surprise : something totally unexpected.
