Donate SIGN UP

Cut a dash

Avatar Image
jUKEjOINT65 | 11:25 Wed 10th Nov 2004 | Phrases & Sayings
1 Answers

Where does the phrase to "cut a dash" come from? It's usually applied to someone who dresses in a very stylish manner so I would guess the cut refers to cloth?

 

Gravatar

Answers

Only 1 answerrss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by jUKEjOINT65. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
One of the meanings of 'cut' from as far back as the 1600s was to perform/carry out, particularly with reference to gestures etc. 'Dash' has meant a showy appearance or display for nearly as long...hence our more commonly-used word 'dashing', often used of heroes in the not-too-distant past. So, 'to cut a dash' was just to put on such a show...nothing much to do with cloth, I'm afraid.

Only 1 answerrss feed

Do you know the answer?

Cut a dash

Answer Question >>