The phrase “cut the mustard” is an American English idiomatic expression, which is used to describe someone or something that has met the expectations. When someone is said to cut the mustard, that means that he or she is capable of doing something, or to qualify for it. This particular phrase has been in use for more than a century, and as such there has been a lot of interest as to the source of this idiom and the manner in which it has been used over the years with regard to literature and many other fields.
Meaning of “Cut the Mustard”
The phrase “cut the mustard” is used to refer to a person or an object that is capable of achieving the expected results. It means that the person or thing in question is adequate, qualified, or proficient enough to produce the intended result. It is used most of the time in a positive sense, expressing satisfaction or acceptance of the work done by a particular person or thing.
For example, if an employee is newly employed and works well, the manager may say, “She really cuts the mustard.” Conversely, if an employee is not up to the task, one might say, “He just doesn’t cut the mustard.”
It is a very commonly used phrase and is not typically confined to any particular context. The phrase can be used in a work setting or in reference to relationships, goods and services. It has been mainly used in everyday language due to the reason that it is very flexible and generalizable.
Origin of “Cut the Mustard”
The phrase “cut the mustard” is an American English phrase, which means to achieve something or to perform to the required level. Although the precise history of the phrase is unknown, it probably originated in United States in the last quarter of the nineteenth century or the early twentieth century. It was first found in O. Henry’s short story “The Heart of the West” published in 1907.
There are several other possibilities: it is derived from the phrase “the proper mustard”, which means the real thing; or the word mustard is used to denote sharpness or zest. This phrase is most commonly used in the negative form as “doesn’t cut the mustard”. It has become quite popular and familiar in the American English language and can be used in different situations ranging from informal to formal.
Even though it is common in everyday usage and can be found in literature, films, and other media, ‘cut the mustard’ is somewhat outdated, especially among the youth. However, it is still a vivid and easily recognized manner of indicating that one has succeeded or has met certain requirements. Thus, its presence in the language proves that it is an effective idiomatic expression. It is quite frequently used in the American English and can be found in different forms of media and in people’s speech.
Use of “Cut the Mustard” in Literature
The phrase “cut the mustard” has been used in literature to refer to characters, situations, or objects that have met or even surpassed the expected standards. The phrase has been employed to express agreement, contentment, or conversely the lack of quality. Following are the literary examples, wherein the idiom “cut the mustard” has been used:
See also : Cut of Your Jib
Example#1
“The Heart of the West” by O. Henry
According to the story of O. Henry’s “The Heart of the West” published in the year 1907. The phrase “cut the mustard” has been used for the first time in the literature. The author is known for his humor and the use of this phrase is in the context of describing the event as per the expectations of the character.
“She was the sort of woman who cut the mustard, the kind that made you believe in her even when the odds were stacked against her.”
In this passage, O. Henry employs the phrase to underscore the capability and trustworthiness of a female character. It also sustain the notion of capability and professionalism to the expectations of her role regardless the situations. O. Henry’s choice of the phrase is appropriate as the term in early 20th century meant to meet or exceed expectations.
Example#2
“The Inimitable Jeeves” by P.G. Wodehouse,
“But, dash it, Jeeves, old Wodehouse has never quite cut the mustard in the sense of providing proper sustenance for the literary-minded.”
The author uses the phrase “cut the mustard” humorously to comment on a scenario where something does not measure up to the required standard. In this context, it is a lighthearted remark that pokes fun at a specific writer or the type of writer, which suggests that he does not match the intellectual or literary caliber.
Example#3
“Babbitt” by Sinclair Lewis
“I begin to think maybe old George isn’t going to cut the mustard after all. He don’t seem to have the pep for it.”
In this excerpt of Babbitt, the phrase “cut the mustard” has been used as an ability to thrive or to meet the expectations of life. The implication here is that the character in question does not trust George to meet the challenge as expected of him.
Example#4
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
“He was getting on, and the younger men could cut the mustard better than he could anymore.”
In this excerpt, Steinbeck uses the phrase towards a reference of somebody who is unable to perform their expected role, especially in reference to the Youth. They have a negative connotation, which refers to a man’s ineffectiveness once he attains a specific age in comparison to youth.
Example#5
“From Here to Eternity ” by James Jones
“It don’t look like he can cut the mustard anymore, but he’s still trying.”
Here, the author employs the phrase ‘cut the mustard’ to refer to an individual who is trying so hard despite the fact that they cannot pull through. It underscores the fact that he is not capable of being as active as before but it does not mean he has withdrawn completely.
See also: Two Heads Are Better Than One Meaning
Use of “Cut the Mustard” in Modern Contexts
In today’s society, the phrase “cut the mustard” is still being used in contemporary aspects of life. It is usually associated with performance, competency or adequacy in meeting or attaining a certain level. Due to its general nature, it can be applied on job performances, interpersonal relationships as well as products that are bought by a consumer.
In the Workplace
In the workplace, the phrase “cut the mustard” is often used to determine how well an employee is doing in their job or if the employee is right for the position. For example, a manager may use the phrase, “Boy does she ever cut the mustard in this position”, to communicate that an employee is being effective, or meeting the requirements of his role. On the other hand, if an employee is inapt, a manager may claim, “He just doesn’t cut the mustard”, meaning that the said employee is not up to the standard mark.
The phrase is also frequently used in the area of employment and selection where organizations are looking for the people who are capable of cutting the mustard. In this regard, the above phrase presupposes that a person should perform better than was expected from him or her in that position.
In Personal Relationships
In personal relationships, the phrase ‘cut the mustard’ is used to explain whether the individual lives up to expectations/standards of a partner, relative or friend. For example, one can say, “This guy doesn’t cut the mustard as a boyfriend”, which means that the specific individual is not suitable to be in that position.
The phrase also can be used in a less formal and even in a humorous tone when the focus is on how well this person is able to perform a certain work or deal with some difficulty. For example: “I don’t think she cuts the mustard when it comes to cooking” can be said when joking about a person who is a bad cook.
In Consumer Reviews and Media
The phrase is used by the consumers and in media to assess goods, services or-media entertainment. For example, a movie critic may say, “This film doesn’t cut the mustard”, which means that it is not as good as other films in the series.
The phrase can be found in different product reviews where the main idea is to check if an item meets the consumer’s expectations in terms of quality and performance. For example, “This smartphone really cuts the mustard when it comes to battery life and camera quality” may be found in a technology newspaper or magazine review section.
In Popular Culture
This phrase has also found its way into the modern use in business, education, films and television, music and even games. They incorporate it in such circumstances, primarily due to its informal and everyday character as a way of being saturated or dissatisfied.
For example, a character in a sitcom can use the phrase to refer to their ability to handle a certain job or test, with humor. In music, it might be used whenever lyrics for songs refer to the expectations of people in their daily lives or attempts that have to be made to surmount difficulties.
