Cut the Mustard

Factual Questions
1

Why is it so difficult that old people can’t do it? I just squeeze it and it pours out . . . :slight_smile:

2

If you squeeze it, then it’s being forced out by air pressure. “Pouring” implies that it was flowing freely enough that gravity would be the essential/necessary force.

3

I see what you did there, Si Amigo.

Song Lyrics: http://www.rosemaryclooney.com/toooldtocut.html

4

Assuming there is a serious question behind the joke (i.e., “How did cutting the mustard become the standard for sufficient performance?”)

the origin of the phrase is unknown. Some ideas have been proposed, but no evidence exists to confirm any.

(Quotes numerous pages all saying similar things.)

Probably not associated with “pass the muster” from military slang.

Probably not derived from cutting mustard plants or seeds with knives, scissors, etc.

Probably not derived from mixing vinegar with mustard seeds to tame down the hotness of the condiment.

Seems likely associated with other uses of the word “mustard” coming out of the American west. No real reason identified for why “mustard” is the measurement of performance.

5

If you’re unable to cut the mustard, the pressure must build up something terrible. A reference to sphincters hardening with age?

6

Well yes, half serious at least. I over heard the guy sitting next to me this morning use this term in a conversation and wondered if he even knew what he was talking about; usually he doesen’t and I try to research and explain to him what the gibberish coming out of his mouth actually means; but this one stumped me.

Then the song that **BobArrgh** referenced sprang into my head (only sung on [Hee Haw](http://www.search.com/reference/Hee_Haw) by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos with Grandpa Jones sporadically exclaiming yee haw every once in a while; what a horrible flashback from childhood that was :eek:) and I got irritated by lack of a definitive; googlable answer; that I just had to post.  

I'm thinking Cecil should have this researched because there seems to be a lot confusion over what this actually means out there.
7

Michael Quinion (World Wide Words) on ‘cut the mustard’.

8

I’m pretty sure that answer is included in the link I gave. Yep, just checked, it’s there.

Johnny Q said:

The age-related use appears to refer to erectile dysfunction.

9

I prefer Shel Silverstein’s version of “Cut the Mustard” from “Old Dogs”.

10

Well, you can’t really cut it properly anyway, because it sticks to the knife.

11

That’s “cut the cheese”.