The origins of the slang term “cut the mustard” are uncertain, but it is commonly used to describe something that does not meet expectations. Theories suggest it may come from difficulties in trimming mustard plants or cutting mustard greens. Some suggest it is related to older slang terms involving mustard. The theory that it is a corruption of “cut the muster” is unlikely. The term has contributed to another slang term, “cut it.”
The origins of the slang term “cut the mustard” are shrouded in uncertainty, although there are some creative theories. This term usually manifests itself in a negative sense, as when something “doesn’t cut the mustard”; in other words, it does not meet expectations or does not satisfy a certain need. Using the term in a positive context, when something cuts the mustard, is somewhat unusual. Whatever the origins, it appears to have come into common usage in the early 1900s and appears to have come from the United States.
One theory is that it is a reference to the literal difficulties of trimming mustard plants. Mustard often grows densely and has hard, woody stems that are difficult to slice and the tiny seeds are tough and difficult to divide. Another theory has to do with the traditional preparation of mustard greens for consumption. Mustard is naturally very bitter, and cooks commonly cut it with vinegar to remove the bitterness and preserve it so it can be stored at room temperature for an extended period of time. Failing to cut the mustard in any of these examples would result in unsatisfactory performance.
Other theories invoke older slang terms involving mustard. People have been “as passionate as mustard” since at least the 1600s. In the American West, the term “proper mustard” for the real deal appeared in the late 1800s. Mustard in these cases seems to play a superlative role, something that exceeds expectations and is much appreciated for spicing things up. It is possible that cutting mustard is related to these older slang examples.
Some theorists suggest that the term is actually a corruption of “cut the muster”. However, this theory has some flaws. The idea of passing muster is an accepted slang term, referring to passing a military inspection. Presumably a soldier who cuts muster fails to show up for this inspection, in which case “cuts muster” would refer to a negative, rather than a positive, aspect. This makes this explanation unlikely; it is probably a later formation developed by those looking for similar slang terms.
Whatever its origin, “cut the mustard” seems to have contributed to another slang term, “cut it.” Just like when something doesn’t cut the mustard, when something doesn’t cut it, it doesn’t live up to expectations. This term appears to be an abbreviation of older slang, as it appeared much later.
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