mustard

after meat, mustard

A phrase emphasizing that something has come too late to be useful (like mustard after meat has already been eaten). A: "Here, I finished my project, Mr. Smith!" B: "Ah, after meat, mustard. I've already submitted your final grade, and it's too late to change it."See also: after, mustard

the pope's mustard maker

A pompous person, especially one in an insignificant job or role. In the 14th century, Pope John XXII had a personal "moutardier" (mustard-maker), to ensure that his food was properly seasoned. All she does is copy files all day, but she acts like she's the pope's mustard maker. I practically have to beg for a chance to use the copier!See also: maker, mustard

be as keen as mustard

To be very enthusiastic about something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. These new kids are as keen as mustard to be in the choir, so we can definitely get them to clean up the choir room for us.See also: keen, mustard

cut the mustard

1. slang To work or operate in a satisfactory manner. The origin of this phrase is debated. I need a new worker from the temp agency—the one you sent over keeps mixing up orders and just isn't cutting the mustard. This toaster doesn't cut the mustard anymore. No matter what setting you choose, your toast comes out charred!2. slang To work or act with energy and enthusiasm, as is characteristic of the young. That guy looks like he's 110 years old—there's no way he'll be able to cut the mustard stocking shelves all day!3. rude slang To fart. I can't believe you cut the mustard in the car. Now we have to smell it all the way home!See also: cut, mustard

can't cut the mustard

1. slang Is unable to work or operate in a satisfactory manner. I need a new worker from the temp agency—the one you sent over keeps mixing up orders and just can't cut the mustard. This toaster can't cut the mustard anymore. No matter what setting you choose, your toast comes out charred!2. slang Is unable to work or act with energy and enthusiasm. That guy looks like he's 110 years old—I'm sure he can't cut the mustard stocking shelves all day!See also: cut, mustard

cut the cheese

rude slang To fart. I can't believe you cut the cheese in the car. Now we have to smell it all the way home!See also: cheese, cut

not cut the mustard

To not be at a satisfactory or requisite level; to not successfully complete or accomplish a desired or expected result. The underdog gave a brilliant performance in the ring, but he just could not cut the mustard against the returning champion. I have to warn you, Jenkins, your last few reports haven't quite cut the mustard. You're going to need to improve if you want to keep your job here.See also: cut, mustard, not

pass muster

To be accepted as adequate; to meet the minimum or standard requirement. I gave the interview my best, but I guess I didn't pass muster. There are so many typos and structural problems—there's no way this report will pass muster with the boss.See also: muster, pass

keen as mustard

Very enthusiastic and excited (about or to do something). Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. There are plenty of talented kids around this area who are keen as mustard to be on the team, so we should have no problem filling the spot. Silverstone plays the hardened veteran detective, while Ridley plays the keen-as-mustard rookie assigned to be her partner.See also: keen, mustard

a grain of mustard seed

A small or seemingly insignificant thing that has the potential to grow or develop into something vast or formidable. Originating from the Parable of the Mustard Seed in the Bible (in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke), describing how the Christian faith spreads and flourishes from small beginnings. Every child is a grain of mustard seed—at once relatively small in the scope of the world, but having within them the power to shape the very course of human existence.See also: grain, mustard, of, seed

cut the cheese

and cut the mustardSl. to release intestinal gas. (Crude. Use caution with the topic.) Who cut the cheese? People who cut the mustard in the car have to get out and walk.See also: cheese, cut

pass muster

Fig. to measure up to the required standards. I tried, but my efforts didn't pass muster. If you don't wear a jacket and tie, you won't pass muster at that fancy restaurant. They won't let you in.See also: muster, pass

cut the mustard

Perform satisfactorily, as in We need a better catcher; this one just doesn't cut the mustard. The origin of this expression is disputed. Some believe it alludes to mustard in the sense of the best or main attraction (owing to its spicing up food), whereas others believe it is a corruption of pass muster. Still others hold that it concerns the preparation of mustard, which involves adding vinegar to mustard seed to "cut" (reduce) its bitterness. The expression is often in negative form, as in the example. [Slang; c. 1900] See also: cut, mustard

pass muster

Meet a required standard, as in That yard cleanup won't pass muster with Mom. This expression originally meant "to undergo a military review without censure," muster referring to an assembling of troops for inspection or a similar purpose. [Late 1500s] See also: muster, pass

keen as mustard

mainly BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf someone is keen as mustard they are very eager to do something. I have an adult pupil who scored very low in assessments but is keen as mustard. Note: You can also describe someone as mustard-keen. Sir Richard was mustard-keen to say his bit. Note: `Keen' means enthusiastic, but is also used to mean sharp when referring to the blade or cutting edge of a tool or weapon. An acidic or sour taste can also be referred to as sharp, so enthusiasm is being likened to the sharp taste or `edge' given to food by mustard. See also: keen, mustard

not cut the mustard

If someone or something doesn't cut the mustard, they are not of an acceptable standard. He's certainly a fine writer but as a director, he doesn't quite cut the mustard. For me, neither show quite cuts the mustard. Note: Less commonly, you hear people say that someone or something can cut the mustard, meaning that they are of a good standard. The thirty-year-old striker is keen to prove that he can still cut the mustard. Note: In the United States, `mustard' used to be slang for `the best' or `the genuine article'. See also: cut, mustard, not

pass muster

FORMALCOMMON If someone or something passes muster, they are of a satisfactory standard for a particular purpose or job. He spoke French and Spanish and could just about pass muster in Italian. It is the only country that has yet to fulfill all the membership requirements, but it is expected to pass muster soon. Note: In the army and navy, a `muster' is an inspection of the soldiers' or sailors' uniforms and equipment. See also: muster, pass

cut the mustard

come up to expectations; meet the required standard. informal Mustard appears in early 20th-century US slang with the general meaning of ‘the best of anything’. 1998 New Scientist But if you want to go beyond this into hypersonic flight…they just don't cut the mustard. See also: cut, mustard

a grain of mustard seed

a small thing capable of vast development. Black mustard seed grows to a great height. In Matthew 13:31–2 it is stated that ‘mustard seed…indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs’.See also: grain, mustard, of, seed

keen as mustard

extremely eager or enthusiastic. British informal Keen is used here to mean ‘operating on the senses like a sharp instrument’.See also: keen, mustard

pass muster

be accepted as adequate or satisfactory. This was originally a military expression, meaning ‘come through a review or inspection without censure’. It is found earlier (late 16th century to late 17th century) in the now obsolete form pass (the ) musters and has been in figurative use since the late 16th century.See also: muster, pass

(as) ˌkeen as ˈmustard

(British English, informal) wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic: She’s as keen as mustard. She always gets here first in the morning and she’s the last to leave work in the evening.See also: keen, mustard

(not) cut the ˈmustard

(not) be as good as expected or required: I didn’t cut the mustard as a hockey player. Mustard in this expression may possibly refer to an old-fashioned slang word used in American English, meaning ‘the best of anything’.See also: cut, mustard

pass ˈmuster

be good enough; be acceptable: I didn’t think Charlie’s parents would like me, but evidently I pass muster. Muster is the calling together of soldiers, sailors, etc. for inspection. If you pass muster, you pass the inspection without criticism.See also: muster, pass

cut the cheese

and cut the mustard and cut a muffin tv. to release intestinal gas. (Usually objectionable.) People who cut the mustard in the car have to get out and walk! Somebody cut a muffin! See also: cheese, cut

cut the mustard

verbSee cut the cheeseSee also: cut, mustard

cut the mustard

1. tv. to be able to do something requiring youth or vigor. (Usually in the expression too old to cut the mustard.) Do you really think he can cut the mustard? 2. Go to cut the cheese.See also: cut, mustard

cut the cheese

Vulgar Slang To expel intestinal gas.See also: cheese, cut

cut the mustard

To perform up to expectations or to a required standard.See also: cut, mustard

pass muster

To be judged as acceptable.See also: muster, pass

pass muster

To pass an examination or inspection; measure up to a given standard.See also: muster, pass

cut the mustard, to

To do a good job; to come up to a required standard; to succeed. It often is put negatively, as someone cannot cut the mustard, that is, is not performing adequately. The term is American slang, and its origin is disputed. According to one authority, “mustard” used to signify the best or main attraction in a show, probably because this condiment enhances the flavor of other foods. It was this sense that O. Henry apparently intended when he wrote, “I’m not headlined in the bills, but I’m the mustard in the salad dressing, just the same” (Cabbages and Kings), and later (1904), “I . . . found a proposition that exactly cut the mustard.” Another etymologist believes it comes from the military term, to pass muster. A third theory is that it comes from the preparation of the condiment, which involves adding vinegar to ground-up mustard seed; the vinegar is said to “cut” the bitter taste.See also: cut

mustard

mustard,

common name for the Cruciferae, or Brassicaceae, a large family chiefly of herbs of north temperate regions. The easily distinguished flowers of the Cruciferae have four petals arranged diagonally ("cruciform") and alternating with the four sepals. Most of the nearly 50 genera indigenous to the United States are found in the West. The family includes numerous weeds and wildflowers, e.g., peppergrasspeppergrass,
any species of the genus Lepidium, widely distributed peppery-tasting herbs of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family). They commonly have toothed leaves, clusters of small usually white flowers, and little flat, roundish pods (actually
..... Click the link for more information. , toothworttoothwort,
any species of the genus Dentaria [Lat. dens=tooth, for the toothed rhizomes of some species], slender perennials of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), native to north temperate regions.
..... Click the link for more information. , and shepherd's-purseshepherd's-purse,
annual herb (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), indigenous to Europe but now a nearly cosmopolitan weed in temperate regions.
..... Click the link for more information. . The Cruciferae, often rich in sulfur compounds and in vitamin C, include important food and condiment plants, many cultivated from ancient times. Especially important are the herbs of the genus Brassica, e.g., raperape,
in botany, annual herb (Brassica napus) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), belonging to the same genus as the cabbage, the mustard plant, and the turnip (which it resembles in appearance).
..... Click the link for more information. , rutabaga, turnipturnip,
garden vegetable of the same genus of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family) as the cabbage; native to Europe, where it has been long cultivated. The two principal kinds are the white (Brassica rapa) and the yellow (B.
..... Click the link for more information. , mustard, and numerous varieties of the cabbagecabbage,
leafy garden vegetable of many widely dissimilar varieties, all probably descended from the wild, or sea, cabbage (Brassica oleracea) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), found on the coasts of Europe.
..... Click the link for more information. species. Cress, watercresswatercress,
hardy perennial European herb (Nasturtium officinale) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), widely naturalized in North America, found in or around water.
..... Click the link for more information. , horse-radishhorse-radish,
perennial herb (Armoracia rusticana, but sometimes classified in other genera) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), native to central and S Europe (where it has long been cultivated in gardens) and naturalized in many parts of North
..... Click the link for more information. , and radishradish,
herbaceous plant (Raphanus sativus) belonging to the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), with an edible, pungent root sliced in salads or used as a relish.
..... Click the link for more information. are also of this family. A few species are cultivated as ornamentals, e.g., candytuftcandytuft,
any plant of the genus Iberis of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), low-growing plants of the Old World. A number of half-hardy annuals and evergreen perennials are cultivated—chiefly in borders and rock gardens—for the
..... Click the link for more information. , rose of Jerichorose of Jericho,
common name for two plants belonging to different families in the plant kingdom. One, an annual desert plant (Anastatica hierochuntica) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), is native to Asia Minor. It is a resurrection plant.
..... Click the link for more information. , wallflowerwallflower,
Mediterranean perennial (Cheiranthus cheiri) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), particularly popular in Europe, where it flourishes on old walls.
..... Click the link for more information. , and types of stockstock,
in botany, common name for any species of the genus Matthiola, for Malcomia maritima (Virginia stock), and for the wallflower, all belonging to the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), and for a carnation of the family Caryophyllaceae (pink
..... Click the link for more information. , rocketrocket,
in botany, popular name for several plants of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family). The dame's, or damask, violet, damewort, or sweet rocket is Hesperis matronalis,
..... Click the link for more information. , and alyssumalyssum
, any species of the genus Alyssum of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family), annual and perennial herbs native to the Mediterranean area. A few species, notably the perennial golden tuft (A.
..... Click the link for more information. . Woadwoad,
name for a perennial plant (Isatis tinctoria) of the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae; mustard family) and for a blue dye obtained from its leaves. The plant is believed to be native to S Russia, but was in cultivation (and escaped) throughout Europe in early
..... Click the link for more information. was formerly an important dye source. The herbs of the family that are called mustard are species of Brassica and Sinapis (formerly included in Brassica) native to Europe and W Asia. Most important commercially are the black mustard (B. nigra) and white mustard (S. alba). These are yellow-flowered annuals naturalized in the United States; the black mustard is often a weed infesting grainfields, as is also the charlock, or wild mustard (S. arvensis). The black and the white mustard resemble each other and are used more or less similarly. They are cultivated for the seeds, which are ground and used as a condiment, usually mixed to a paste with vinegar or oil, sometimes with spices or with an admixture of starch to reduce the pungency. (The pungency of mustard does not develop until it is moistened.) Black mustard seeds are more pungent than the white and yield a yellowish, biting oil (mustard oil) that has also been useful in medicine. The white mustard is used in some places as forage for sheep and as green manure. Mustards are also grown as salad plants and for greens, as are the Indian, or leaf, mustard (B. juncea) and the Chinese mustard, or bok choy (B. rapa chinensis). Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), an Old World herb whose leaves and seeds are used to season food, is an invasive species in many parts of North America. Mustard is classified in the divison MagnoliophytaMagnoliophyta
, division of the plant kingdom consisting of those organisms commonly called the flowering plants, or angiosperms. The angiosperms have leaves, stems, and roots, and vascular, or conducting, tissue (xylem and phloem).
..... Click the link for more information. , class Magnoliopsida, order Capparales (or Brassicales), family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae).

mustard

All mustards are edible and have very powerful healing qualities. Mustard is said to be one of the best things to prevent cancer in the body. It is one of the ingredients of curry (the other is turmeric) and is eaten a lot in India, which has one of the lowest rates of cancer. Yellow flowers, thin upward pointing thin stick-like seed pods. Unopened flower buds resemble broccoli because they are related. The compounds in mustard are so strong, even tiny amounts are said to have a noticeable effect on breast and colon cancers. It helps cancerdamaged cells to self-destruct so the cancer can’t spread. Mustard is used for asthma, athlete’s foot(ringworm), fungus, parasites, sinus congestion, headache, gas, colds, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, infection, rheumatism, stress, rash, ulcers, stomach cramps, toothache and muscle pain. Mustards love colder weather (spring and fall) and can be easily grown in your garden. It's a nuisance to farmers because it grows everywhere. Wait till the seed pods get hard, yellow and dry, put a plastic bag or pillow case around the plant and hit it with something hard , all the little tiny black seeds fall out into the bottom of the bag. Pull the stalk out. Mustard is actually a type of grass, so it grows bi-annually. One way to identify a plant from the mustard family (all of which are edible) is the flowers have 4 petals with 6 stamens–4 tall and 2 short. Seedpods always resemble a spiral staircase going up the stem and leaves emit a mustard odor when crushed. A great part to eat aside from the young leaves is the entire "growing tip"- the cluster of unopened buds and opened flowers which looks a little like broccoli. The pungent leaves can be mixed in salads, stir frys or added raw to a smoothie for some serious nutritional and healing power. Simple Mustard 1 cup mustard seeds- soak a bit in cold water to activate “hotness” 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar mix in Vitamix (strong blender) or mortar and pestle or grind seeds first in coffee grinder, then add some cold water, wait a bit, then mix paste with vinegar. You can also add some olive oil, turmeric, sea salt, pepper, raw honey or lemon if you want. Oil lessens the hotness.

Mustard

plant species of Sinapis, family Cruciferae, and also several species of the genus Brassica. The genus Sinapis numbers seven to ten annual, or more rarely perennial, species, distributed in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. They are predominantly weeds with leaves ranging from entire to notched (with lyrate lobes) or dissected and yellow (rarely yellow-white) blossoms. The fruit is a bivalvular pod with from three to seven noticeable ribs and a long rostellum. In the USSR there are two or three species.

When it is cultivated, white, or English, mustard (S. alba) is an annual branching plant 25–100 cm high. The blossom cluster is multiflorous. The pod, with its flattened (ensiform) rostellum, is on a pedicel that slants sharply from the stem. The seeds are pale yellow or light brown; 1,000 seeds weigh 4–7 g. In its uncultivated state it is a weed. Wild mustard, or charlock (5. arvensis), grows almost everywhere in the USSR. The pods have a conical sharp-edged rostellum; the pedicels with fruit reach obliquely upward. The seeds, which produce weeds in cultivated crops, are reddish brown or black and retain their germinating power for ten years. Mustards of the genus Brassica include three cultivated annual species. Indian mustard (B. juncea) is a branching plant up to 1.5 m tall. The lower leaves are notched (with lyrate lobes), and the upper ones are entire. The blossom cluster is usually corymbiform. The pod is tuberculate, with a noticeable middle rib and a subulate rostellum, slanting away from the stem at a sharp angle. The seeds are yellow, cinnamon-brown, or chestnut-brown; 1,000 seeds weigh 1.8–4.5 g. It is grown in Europe and Asia (including the USSR). Black mustard (B. nigra), which has pods tightly pressed to the stem, is cultivated in Europe, Asia Minor, and America. In the USSR it is a weed. Abyssinian mustard (B. carinata) is cultivated in Ethiopia and the mountains of East Africa. Also included among the mustards is sea rocket (Cakile maritima), a wild annual species of the family Cruciferae.

Mustard is grown to obtain a fatty oil from its seeds (35—45 percent in Indian mustard seeds; 20–34 percent in white mustard seeds), which is used in the bread-baking, confectionery, canning, and perfume industries; also obtained is a volatile (allyl) oil, used in medicine in the form of spirit of mustard (a 2 percent solution of the oil in alcohol) as an external stimulant and revulsant. The mustard powder obtained from mustard cakes is used to prepare mustard plasters and table mustard. Root-crop and leafy varieties of Indian mustard are eaten as vegetables. White mustard may be fed to livestock until the beginning of pod formation. All mustards are good nectar bearers. Indian mustard was first cultivated in Southwest Asia, and white and black mustard in the Mediterranean countries.

In Russia, mustard (predominantly Indian mustard) began to be cultivated in the 18th century. In 1970 the area under mustard cultivation in the USSR (Lower Volga, Kazakhstan, Stavropol’ Krai, Novosibirsk Oblast, etc.) consisted of 221,000 hectares (ha). Mustard yields 3.9 centners/ha. Regionalized varieties grown include VNIIMK 162, Neo-sypaiushchaiasia (nonshedding) 2, and Volgograd 189/191. Mustard is planted after winter crops, legumes, or intertilled crops. Approximate norms for mineral fertilizers (in kg/ha) are: 30 N, 45–60 P₂0₅, and 30–45 K₂0. It is sown in rows 15 cm apart, the seeding rate is 6–8 kg/ha, and the depth of sowing is 4–5 cm. Care of plantings includes harrowing until germination (if a crust forms), weeding, and controlling pests (the cress flea beetle, turnip sawfly, and others) and diseases (powdery mildew). Indian mustard is harvested at the beginning of wax ripeness of the seeds. White mustard is grown in the USSR in the nonchernozem zone (up to 62° N lat.) in negligible quantities.

REFERENCES

Velichko, V. V. Belaia gorchitsaν nechernozemnoi polose. Moscow, 1951.
Minkevich, I. A., and V. E. Borkovskii. Maslichnye kul’tury, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1955.
Sazanova, L. V. Kul’tura sareptskoi gorchitsy. Moscow, 1955.

M. E. KIRPICHNIKOV

mustard

[′məs·tərd] (botany) Any of several annual crucifers belonging to the genus Brassica of the order Capparales; leaves are lyrately lobed, flowers are yellow, and pods have linear beaks; the mustards are cultivated for their pungent seed and edible foliage, and the seeds of B. niger are used as a condiment, prepared as a powder, paste, or oil.

mustard

a. a brownish-yellow colour b. (as adjective): a mustard carpet

mustard

any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Brassica, esp black mustard and white mustard, having yellow or white flowers and slender pods and cultivated for their pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

mustard

mustard

mus·tard

mustard

mus•tard

mustard

mustard

mustard

after meat, mustard

the pope's mustard maker

be as keen as mustard

cut the mustard

can't cut the mustard

cut the cheese

not cut the mustard

pass muster

keen as mustard

a grain of mustard seed

cut the cheese

pass muster

cut the mustard

pass muster

keen as mustard

not cut the mustard

pass muster

cut the mustard

a grain of mustard seed

keen as mustard

pass muster

(as) ˌkeen as ˈmustard

(not) cut the ˈmustard

pass ˈmuster

cut the cheese

cut the mustard

cut the mustard

cut the cheese

cut the mustard

pass muster

pass muster

cut the mustard, to

mustard

mustard,

mustard

Mustard

REFERENCES

mustard

mustard

mustard

mustard

mustard

mus·tard

mustard

mus·tard

MUSTARD

mustard

Synonyms for mustard

noun any of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica

Related Words

noun pungent powder or paste prepared from ground mustard seeds

Synonyms

Related Words

noun leaves eaten as cooked greens

Synonyms

Related Words