Years ago, Ernest Tubb and Red Foley sang “Too Old to Cut the Mustard.” They gave people a good laugh about aging. You can read the song lyrics here.

Young people often think senior adults are as old as the hills or over the hill. However, many older people still cut the mustard. Many young people cannot. Age does not always make a difference.

Cut the mustard means to work well.    

 People do what needs to be done. They do what is:

• Expected
• Required

They:

• Work with energy and enthusiasm
• Successfully accomplish their task

Cut the mustard applies to things as well as people.

People want what they use to:

• Work well
• Keep working

However, like people, things do not always work as they should.

• Computers crash.
• Cars run out of gas.
• Stoves fail to cook.

Several guesses about how this expression began include the:

• Hard work required to cut mustard plants
• Difficulty in cutting tiny mustard seeds
• Need to cut (dilute) mustard with vinegar to create a good taste

Others ideas have nothing to do with mustard.

However the expression began, it reminds everyone to do their best. Each day offers the opportunity to:

• Rise and shine
• Put hands to the plow
• Bear fruit from a job well done

“[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (Psalm 92:14 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay. 

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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