Facts and Froth Jill Lowe Does it “cut the mustard?”
The term “cut the mustard” means does it “measure up” or is it “of high quality to succeed” - first mentioned in the O.Henry story "The Heart of the West" (1907). In some other countries the word mustard is used in a term to express enthusiasm as in as “keen as mustard.” Mostly though, when thinking of mustard, it is in relation to the foods made better with this wonderful condiment.
In Chicago, for example it is a guideline (almost a rule) that ONLY mustard be applied to a hot dog and never ketchup!